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to Abrams theory, Chieko’s tragedy is defined as the representation of serious and important actions which turn out disastrously for the protagonist, or lead character
1993, pp.201-202. Nevertheless, by the cancelation of an arranged marriage, Chieko knows that Ryusuke does not really love her. His love is not a true love.
Chieko’s tragic life, and that her match to Ryusuke was canceled due to her being an abandoned child, has cultural value. According to Vansina, Chieko’s
tragic life testimonies through the medium of certain cultural concepts because it concerns time and historical development, which distort chronology and the
historical perspective 1965, pp.97-108.
4. Her Loneliness for being Left by her Twin Sister
According to Barrow and Martin, loneliness does not apply only to certain people. It may have always been a part of our lives. Again, it may be apparent
only in special situations or at particular times 1975, p.21 Chieko feels so lonely; she feels as if she is living alone in this world. She feels that, though she
lives close to Naeko, they will never unite. The growth of two violets in front of her house is viewed as representing her relationship with Naeko. p.96.
Tonight a light had been put in the Christian lantern. She could faintly see the violets growing in the two hollows of the great maple.
There were no flowers on them now, but the two small violets in the upper and lower hollows-were they Chieko and Naeko? It looked as though the
violets could never meet, but had they met tonight? Looking at the violets in the dim light, Chieko was again moved to tears. p.96
Actually, Takichiro and Shige can accept Naeko living together with them. They would be very happy to have a new family member, essentially because they
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want another child but cannot. Takichiro really hopes that Naeko is willing to live with them.
“If she has some problem or difficulty, please bring her home with you. We’ll look after her.”
Chieko cast her eyes down. “It would be wonderful to have two daughters. Your mother and I would
both be very happy.” p.163
However, Naeko is still adamant that she does not want to stay with Chieko. Chieko tries to seduce Naeko and tells her that they are expecting her.
“What do you think my father said?” Chieko shook Naeko all the harder. “He said, ‘If that girl Naeko needs help, bring her here. You are registered
as my daughter, but as I can, I’ll be impartial and treat her well. She’s probably sad there all alone.’”
Naeko really does not want to stay with Chieko. She gives a sign to Chieko that she does not want to live with her in Takichiro’s home. There, Chieko
feels very lonely and feels that her existence is not required by Naeko. “These are for you. Come again … please.”
Naeko shook her head. Chieko stood for a long while against the red lattice door, watching as Naeko walked away. Naeko did not look back. A
few delicate snowflakes fell on Chieko’s hair, then vanished. The town was as it should be, still silent in sleep. p.182
Naeko has some reasons why she does not want to stay with Chieko. The first reason is Naeko does not want to see Chieko mocked by the people because
she is twin. Twenty years before, there was a tradition that twins could not be accepted in society. However, Naeko does not know that the situation has
changed. “Chieko, we’ve raised you since you were a nursing baby. You were the
sweetest child anyone could hope for. But we would treat that girl as fairly as we could. If she looks like you, she’s surely a good girl. Bring her here.
Twenty years ago twins weren’t accepted, but now it’s nothing,” her father said. “Shige Shige” he called to his wife.
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The second reason is she does not want to cause trouble for Chieko. She thinks that Chieko has a happy life and gets lots of love from Takichiro and Shige.
“I don’t know why, but somehow I thought that is how it was. I’m sure you grew up with their love.” p.89. She thinks if she joins in Chieko’s life, she will be an
obstacle to Chieko’s happiness. “It’s not that. I told you before, Miss. I don’t want to be even the slightest
obstacle to your happiness.” Naeko lowered her voice. “I’d rather disappear completely.” p.180
The third reason is Naeko feels guilty with Chieko for her parents’ mistake. She feels guilty because Chieko was abandoned by them, not her.
Chieko was silent, so Naeko continued. “Miss, you are the one that my parents abandoned. I don’t know why.”
“But I’ve forgotten that,” Chieko said without pausing. “I don’t even think of it. It’s as though I never had any such parents.”
“I think … perhaps both of them have received their punishment. I was just a baby, but please forgive me.” pp.179-180
Although Naeko does not want to stay with Chieko, she loves Chieko very much. Naeko’s affection to Chieko great; she is even willing to sacrifice her life
for Chieko. “If you were ever in trouble, as you were just now, I’d go to protect you, even if it would kill me. You understand that, don’t you?” p.118.
Therefore, Chieko’s tragic life is influenced by her loneliness. The happiness is very close to her, but she cannot posses it. She can only interact with Naeko, not
possess Naeko completely. Naeko does not want to stay with Chieko because she does not want to see Chieko mocked by others because she is a twin, does not
want to cause trouble for Chieko, and feels guilty with Chieko for her parents’ mistake. However, she gets the full love of Takichiro’s family because they only
have Chieko as her daughter.
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In conclusion, her life is touched by hardship and personal tragedy, namely, she is abandoned by her biological parents, her love is betrayed by Hideo,
her marriage is cancelled by Ryusuke’s father, and she feels lonely after being left by her twin sister. Those tragedies happened as an effect of the old tradition.
Therefore, Chieko is the victim of the practice of the old traditional values in Kyoto, namely she is separated from her twin sister.
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CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
This chapter consists of two parts. The first part is the conclusions of the analysis. The second part is the suggestion for further researchers and the
suggestion for English teacher.
B. Conclusions
This part will draw conclusions of the analysis in Chapter IV. There are two problems to solve. The first research problem aims to find out how Chieko is
described in the novel The Old Capital; the second research problem is the reason why Chieko has to go through her tragic life. Several theories, namely the theory
of character and characterization, the theory of tradition, and the theory of tragedy, have assisted the analysis in this study.
The characteristics of Chieko can be seen from the personal description, character as seen by another, speech, and conversation of others. Based on the
Milligan’s theory of character 1983, p.195, Chieko can be classified as a major character. The first finding says physically, Chieko has got fair skin and has long
hair. Her appearance is boring, uninteresting, and old fashion because she always wears plain clothes and is accustomed to wear kimonos. Based on the analysis,
Chieko is obedient, kind, honest, and talented. Chieko is obedient, as shown by her obeying her parents constantly.
Although she does not like their orders, she will always obey them. Chieko
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