personal quality cannot be separated from the other qualities that the writer finds in the analysis above. His ambitious quality can be described to be more like that he believes
that he can achieve something more that he already had instead of a mere desire for power blindly.
B. The Representation of Intellectuals in the Meiji Period through the Characterization of Avalon Coldmoon
In this last part of the analysis, the writer will explain about why Avalon Coldmoon is chosen as a character that can become the representation of intellectuals
during Meiji period through his characterization. In the previous part of this fourth chapter, the writer already give some explanation about the characterization of Avalon
Coldmoon as described in the novel. Coldmoon who is a part of this particular society becomes the best example which is exposed n the novel.
From the description of Codmoons character in the novel, there are some main ideas about the intellectuals in Meiji era that can be pointed out. Here, the writer will
explains some aspects that can be revealed through the description of Coldmoon.
1. Intellectuals in Meiji Era and Their View on Western Ideals
Niculina Nae in her article Kokoro and the Agony of Individual explain how the view of the intellectuals change during Meiji period. During this period Westernization
takes places after Japan opens itself to the world and Japan learns many things from the westerners even sent their intellectuals to study abroad. This is also caused by the
students who study Dutch that asks the government to open Japan to the world outside. Before Meiji period, Japan is under the influence of China and India. It includes from
the culture, language, and religion and also becomes the very foundation of traditional ideals in Japan. The traditional Japanese society tends to be conservative and collective,
in which one must cast aside their ego for the good of a group. This is a polar opposite of the Western idea of independence in which someone able to decide things without
being bound by the ideals of their surroundings. It is can be seen from her observation below.
In his Gakumon no Susume An Encouragement of Learning, Fukuzawa Yukichi deals with the concept of independence. The ideals of independence
and achievement in life risshinshusse gradually started to replace the traditional social cohesion. Nae,2002: 17
From the quotation above, the writer can take a conclusion that the way of thinking changes so much. The Japanese, especially the intellectuals started to think in a way
like the westerners. They learn about the idea of independence and how someone can achieve something great by themself and not relying on others. They also learn about
their self-value and because of this particular idea, the traditional idea starts to corrode. In this novel, Coldmoon who is an intellectual with a fine accomplishment also seems
to adapt with this western idea of independence. Coldmoon as a bright individual
learns many things from his surroundings along with what he learns from school and university. Since the beginning of Meiji period, along with the Iwakura mission the
teachers and lecturers mostly are natives from Europe or scholars that have finished their study abroad. Because of this mission, it can be concluded that most of them learn
many things outside which includes Western idea that contrasts the idea of Japanese. This gives hints on how Coldmoon learns of the particular idea.
Professor Toshiko
Nakamura in
his article
in a
website www.alanmacfarlane.com
about Yukichi Fukuzawa, Yukichi Fukuzawa’s ideas on
family and the history of civilization gives an explanation about the Western concepts of independence as Fukuzawa said in his book.
We saw that Fukuzawa insisted that man had to have a spirit of independence and autonomy to dev
elop civilization. It meant man developed his „intellectual ability‟ and „virtue‟ and became independent.
In the quotation above, Fukuzawa tries to explain about a particular Western concept of independence. As one of intellectuals in the Meiji era, Fukuzawa is known as one
who accept the Western ideals. This ideals that Fukazawa had learn before said that people should have a spirit of independence and autonomy to develop civilization. The
independence ideals Fukuzawa means for Japanese is for each one of them can develop their intellectual abilities and virtue. It means that self-improvement is very important.
By becoming independent, ones can improve themselves and they have their own
autonomy in order to become civilized without being bound by old values that restrain someone to improve their abilities.
The idea of how Coldmoon represents this ideal can be seen from Coldmoons story about violin. During his high school days, he lives in a countryside where they
should live in simplicity. In which explains that he lives in an area that still holds a traditional idea.
The streets these days are chock-a-block with bright, young men walking along with violin cases in their hands. But when I was a high school lad, very few of
us could play any Western instruments whatsoever. My own perticular school was way out in the sticks where, since life was lived in accordance with a strong
tradition of extreme simplicity, nary a student played the violin. Soseki,2002: 408-409
From the quotation above it can be observed that Coldmoon was live in rural area where things are hard to get especially Western instruments. It seems the particular
area where he lived still belong to the traditional Japanese idea in which they live in extreme simplicity despites the change that was brought by Westerners. Even so,
Coldmoon cannot bring himself to just merely follow the tradition of simplicity. He wants to achieve something more. He has his own resolution on not giving up his
individual needs of having and learning how to play violin. ...On the third occassion I decided that, come what might, I would have to buy
a violin. Reproof from the people of my own district, sneers from the slobs in neighboring prefectures, thumping organized by my fellow student, fist-
lynchers to a man, not even formal expulsion from the school could budge me from my resolution. ... Soseki,2002: 414
The quotation above gives more evidence about Coldmoons resolution. As explained before that where Coldmoon lives is a rural area which still holds traditional idea of
simplicity and seems has not completely touched by the influence of the west unlike the main capital or the other big cities. Because of the strong tradition, it seems the
people around his neighborhood does not like the idea of being westernized and even Coldmoon realizes what will happen to him if he buy a violin. Coldmoon who is
conscious about the consequences still following his own choice which means that he is independent to choose.
Coldmoons way of thinking also gives an idea that he accept the changes that is caused by westernization. In this case, it is closely related to women in that era. It
can be seen from the quotation below. ...Such changes are bound to follow from the introduction and dissemination of
modern ideas of the individual independence. The older generation get unnecessarily worked up and moan and groan as though the world were coming
to its end, but thats the trend of modern civilization and I, for one, welcome and encourage these changes. For instance, theres no need nowadays for
anyone to go tapping poor tots on the skull to see if theyre good enough to buy. In any case, no one ever gets anywhere in this hard world by being unduly
choosey. That way, one can easily end up husbandless and, after fifty or sixty years of assiduous search, still not be a bride. Soseki,2002: 211
From the quotation above, it can be observed how Coldmoons opinion about women that days give an idea that he has accepted the western idea. He explains that there is
