The cultural struggle experienced by Japanese people as reflected in Natsume Soseki`s five short stories in Spring Miscellany - USD Repository

  

THE CULTURAL STRUGGLE EXPERIENCED BY JAPANESE PEOPLE

AS REFLECTED IN NATSUME SOSEKI’S FIVE SHORT STORIES

  

IN SPRING MISCELLANY

A THESIS

  Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements to Obtain the Sarjana Pendidikan Degree in English Language Education

  

By

Agung Tri Haryanta

Student Number: 041214056

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM

  

DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND ARTS EDUCATION

FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION

SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY

  A Thesis on

  

THE CULTURAL STRUGGLE EXPERIENCED BY JAPANESE PEOPLE

AS REFLECTED IN NATSUME SOSEKI’S FIVE SHORT STORIES

IN SPRING MISCELLANY

  By Agung Tri Haryanta

  Student Number: 041214056 Approved by

  Sponsor Dr. A. Herujiyanto, M.A.

  23 May 2011

  A Thesis on

  

THE CULTURAL STRUGGLE EXPERIENCED BY JAPANESE PEOPLE

AS REFLECTED IN NATSUME SOSEKI’S FIVE SHORT STORIES

  

IN SPRING MISCELLANY

  By AGUNG TRI HARYANTA

  Student Number: 041214056 Defended before the Board of Examiners

  On 9 June 2011 and Declared Acceptable

  

Board of Examiners

  Chairperson :

  C. Tutyandari, S.Pd., M.Pd. ____________ Secretary : Made Frida Yulia, S.Pd., M.Pd. ____________ Member : Dr. A. Herujiyanto, M.A. ____________ Member : L. Suharjanto, S.J., S.S., B.S.T., M.A. ____________ Member : Henny Herawati, S.Pd., M.Hum. ____________

  Yogyakarta, 9 June 2011 Faculty of Teachers Training and Education Sanata Dharma University Dean,

  

STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY

  I honestly declare that this thesis, which I have written, does not contain the work or parts of the work of other people, except those cited in the quotations and the references, as a scientific paper should.

  Yogyakarta, 9 June 2011 The Writer

  Agung Tri Haryanta 041214056

  

LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN

PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS

Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma: Nama : Agung Tri Haryanta

  Nomor Mahasiswa : 041214056

Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan

Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul:

  THE CULTURAL STRUGGLE EXPERIENCED BY JAPANESE PEOPLE AS REFLECTED IN NATSUME SOSEKI’S FIVE SHORT STORIES

  IN SPRING MISCELLANY

  

beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan

kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan,

mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan

data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di Internet atau

media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya

maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya

sebagai penulis. Demikian pernyataan ini yang saya buat dengan sebenarnya. Dibuat di Yogyakarta Pada tanggal: 9 Juni 2011 Yang menyatakan,

  (Agung Tri Haryanta)

  

ABSTRACT

  Haryanta, Agung Tri. (2011). The Cultural Struggle Experienced by Japanese

  

People as Reflected in Soseki Natsume’s Five Short Stories in Spring

Miscellany. Yogyakarta: English Language Education Study Program, Sanata

Dharma University.

  This study discusses Soseki Natsume’s short stories “The Persimmons”, “The Human Being”, “Mona Lisa”, “The Kakemono”, and “The Voice” in his book Spring Miscellany.

  This study aims to explain the meaning of cultural struggle through human isolation in those short stories. There are two question to answer, namely (1) “How is human isolation described in Soseki’s five short stories; ‘The Persimmons’, ‘The Human Being’, ‘Mona Lisa’, ‘The Kakemono’, and ‘The Voice’?”, (2) “How is human isolation reflected in Soseki’s real life?”

  There are two sources used in this study, namely primary and secondary sources. The primary source is the five short stories. The secondary sources are the references from books which support and relate to this study. The approaches used in this study are biographical approach which refers to the life of Soseki Natsume and sociocultural-historical approach which refers to the background during which the short stories were written.

  There are several findings of the analysis of this study. First, human isolation could be in many forms and people have their own view towards it. It is revealed that some people perceive it as a burden while others hold on to it to achieve something better. This can be seen in Soseki Natsume’s five short stories which describe the daily life of Japanese people during Meiji period.

  Second, Soseki Natsume lived during Meiji period where there were massive changes in culture, social, politics, and economy. These changes took Western culture as the reference and had created many conflicts in the society.

  The cultural struggle experienced by Japanese people during Meiji period has led the country to modernism and successfulness. The changes in culture, social, politic, and economy have created a strong foundation for Japan to develop the country further.

  It is suggested for further researches analyze on the political and economical aspects of Meiji period deeper. This thesis also proposes materials to teach Cross Cultural Understanding class by using those short stories in English Language Education Study Program.

  

ABSTRAK

  Haryanta, Agung Tri. (2011). The Cultural Struggle Experienced by Japanese

  

People as Reflected in Soseki Natsume’s Five Short Stories in Spring

Miscellany. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, Universitas

Sanata Dharma.

  Penelitian ini mendiskusikan tentang cerita pendek karya Natsume Soseki yang berjudul, “The Persimmons”, “The Human Being”, “Mona Lisa”, “The Kakemono”, dan “The Voice” di dalam bukunya Spring Miscellany.

  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan makna dari perjuangan budaya melalui isolasi manusia di dalam cerita pendek-cerita pendek tersebut. Terdapat dua pertanyaan yang akan akan dijawab, yaitu (1) “Bagaimanakah isolasi manusia didiskripsikan di dalam cerita pendek Soseki; ‘The Persimmons’, ‘The Human Being’, ‘Mona Lisa’, ‘The Kakemono’, dan ‘The Voice’?”, (2) “Bagaimanakah isolasi manusia digambarkan di kehidupan Soseki yang sebenarnya?”

  Terdapat dua sumber data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini, yaitu sumber data primer dan sekunder. Sumber data primer adalah kelima cerita pendek tersebut. Sumber data sekunder adalah referensi dari buku-buku yang mendukung dan berhubungan dengan penelitian ini. Pendekatan yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pendekatan riwayat hidup (biografi), yang mengacu kepada kehidupan Soseki Natsume, dan pendekatan sosialbudaya-sejarah, yang mengacu kepada latar belakang disaat cerita pendek tersebut ditulis.

  Ada beberapa penemuan pada analisa penelitian ini. Pertama, isolasi manusia dapat berwujud dalam berbagai bentuk dan manusia memiliki pandangannya sendiri terhadapnya. Di dalam penelitian ini, terungkap bahwa beberapa orang menganggapnya sebagai beban sementara yang lain memegang teguh untuk meraih sesuatu yang lebih baik. Hal ini dapat dilihat pada kelima cerita pendek Soseki Natsume yang menggambarkan kehidupan sehari-hari masyarakat Jepang selama periode Meiji.

  Kedua, Soseki Natsume hidup selama periode Meiji dimana terdapat perubahan yang sangat besar pada budaya, sosial, politik, dan ekonomi. Perubahan ini mengambil budaya barat sebagai acuan dan telah menyebabkan banyak konflik di dalam masyarakat.

  Perjuangan budaya yang dialami masyarakat Jepang selama periode Meiji telah mengarahkan Negara tersebut menuju modernisasi dan kesuksesan. Perubahan pada budaya, sosial, politik, dan ekonomi telah menciptakan pondasi yang kuat bagi Jepang untuk mengembangkan dirinya lebih jauh.

  Disarankan untuk penelitian selanjutnya agar menganalisa aspek politik dan ekonomi pada periode Meiji secara lebih dalam. Thesis ini juga mengajukan materi untuk mengajar kelas Cross Cultural Understanding.dengan menggunakan cerita pendek tersebut dalam Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris.

  

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  My ultimate gratitude goes to God Almighty for His bottomless love and to my beloved family: my father, Mr. Tukiman; my mother, Ms. Sihwati; my sister, Purwatiningsih; my brother, Agus Dwi Cahya; for their never ending loving, caring, and support. I would like to thank my uncle and aunt, Mr.

  

Sayarno and Ms. Juwariyah, for being like my parents during my stay in

Yogyakarta.

  I would also like to thank those who have assisted me in making this thesis project happened. My sincerest gratitude goes to my thesis advisor, Dr. A.

  

Herujiyanto, M.A. for his guidance, precious time, and criticism for my thesis;

Carla Sih Prabandari, S.Pd., M.Hum. and Ouda Teda Ena, S.Pd., M.Pd. for

  their guidance during my thesis project; all staffs of English Language

  

Education Study Program: all my beloved lecturers who are so qualified,

  patient, and sincere in guiding me to learn English; Mbak Dani and Mbak Tari who have been very patient and helpful; and all staffs of Sanata Dharma

  Library.

  My warmest appreciation goes to Hana Chubs for her constant support, patience, and love; my friends, Adi Yulis, Ana Paijem, Mbak Dheeta, Berta,

  

Vina Kecil, Oki Pede, and Retno Detta; my partners in crime, Barkah, Nanda,

  and Cipto; my classmates and all of my friends who cannot be mentioned here one by one.

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE .................................................................................................

  CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

  5

  4

  4

  4

  1

  2.1 Review of Related Theories……………………………… Page i ii iv v vi vii viii ix x

  1.5 Definition of Terms ……………………….……………..

  APPROVAL PAGES ..................................................................................... STATEMENT OF WORK’S ORIGINALITY .............................................

  1.4 Benefits of the Study…………………………….…….....

  1.2 Objective of the Study….……………………….……..… 1.3 Problem Formulation…………………………………….

  CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background ………………………………………….…..

  DEDICATION PAGE ................................................................................... ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................... TABLE OF CONTENTS ..............................................................................

  ABSTRAK ......................................................................................................

  ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................

  LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS ..........................................................

  7

  2.1.2 Sociocultural-Historical Approach……………………..

  9 2.1.3 Theory of Alienation........................................................

  9 2.1.3.1 Alienation in Sociology................................................

  10 2.1.3.2 The Phenomenon of Alienation in Modern Cities........

  12 2.2 Reviews on the Historical-Biographical Background…….

  13 2.2.1 The Early Life of Soseki Natsume……………………...

  14 2.2.2 The Influence of Meiji Era in Soseki Natsume’s Works.

  15 2.3 Theoretical Framework…………………………………...

  16

  2.4 Context of the Short Stories………………………………

  18 CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY 3.1 Object of the Study……………………………………….

  21

  3.2 Approach of the Study……………………………………

  26

  3.3 Method of the Study………………………………………

  27 CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS

  4.1 The Description of Human Isolation in Soseki’s Five Short Stories………………………………………….…...

  29

  

4.2 Human Isolation in Soseki’s Real Life during Meiji

Period…………………………………………………......

  45

  CHAPTER V: CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS 5.1 Conclusions………………………………………...……..

5.2 Suggestions……………………………………………….

  REFERENCES…………………………………………………………….. APPENDICES Appendix 1: Biography of Soseki Natsume………………………………..

  Appendix 2: Summary of the Short Stories………………………………… Appendix 3: Lesson Plan for Teaching Cross Cultural Understanding…….

  57

  61

  64

  67

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  73

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION This chapter gives an introduction of this study. It consists of four parts. The first part is the Background of the Study. In this part, the writer gives the

  reasons of choosing the book, Spring Miscellany, as the subject of this study. The second part is the Problem Formulation. This part will discuss two problems of this subject. The third one is the Objective of the Study. In this part, the writer states the aims of conducting this study. The last part is Definition of Terms. It provides the definition of terms, significant words or phrases specifically used in this study to clarify concepts and avoid misinterpretations.

1.1 Background

  One of the easiest art forms to enjoy is the short story. It asks a little of the reader, and often, so pleasingly (McVitty, 1981: v). The length of a short story requires a short time of reading, yet it can give delight and surprise to the readers. The growth of information media, such as newspaper, magazine, and internet, gives this literary type an opportunity to develop even further. The readers can easily find and get the sensation of short stories. On the other hand, the literature writers can express their idea and creativity. Social issues and problems might be the common inspiration for ideas. As they see or recall daily activities, ideas come up and can be processed into stories which entertain the readers. Soseki Natsume, a literature writer from Japan, is a literature writer who often reflects some social issues in his works.

  Soseki was born in 1867, coincided the born of the long reign of Emperor Meiji (1868-1912). As stated by Inger Sigrun Bodrey, during this period, the culture in Japan was obsessed with the issues regarding belonging and identity that arise from rapid change and dissociation from the past (Natsume, 2004: 9). Japan underwent a radical change by which the new government of Meiji decided to adopt a “no-holds-barred program of intensive modernization” (Lehmann, 1982: 165). This program, commonly known as Meiji Restoration, covers almost in every aspect of life such as education, culture, politic and technology. Soseki, apart from the Meiji Era influence, experienced a series of crises concerning his sense of belonging and identity during his earliest years. The sad events of his life led to a powerful sense of dislocation which resembles in his works. This similarity between his individual concerns and the broader cultural concerns of the Meiji Era enhances the reception of his work and leads him to become Japan’s most important modern authors (Natsume, 2004: 9).

  The reflection of his concerns in belonging and identity resembles his book Spring Miscellany. The book is a collection of short stories, essays, and also collection of letters written during his stay in England between 1900 and 1902. There are eight short stories and seventeen essays in the book. Five of the short stories become the subject of discussion of this study. Those five short stories, which titles are “The Persimmons”, “The Human Being”, “Mona Lisa”, “The society in Japan (Natsume, 2002: 8). The stories are different from each other. However, the main theme is the same, namely human isolation. People belonging, what they have and what they do not have, and also identity, their existence in the society, can affect and limit the way people think and behave.

  In “The Persimmons”, the human isolation comes in the form of social class. A child from wealthy family becomes isolated in poverty area. Even, the story suggests that the area is not a particularly good area for her (Natsume, 2002:29). “The Human Being” tells the difference between the life of a rich girl and a poor old man. Rich people live in a luxury and happy life while the poor become something stupid to be laughed at. The limitation in knowledge can have bad impact on human. In “Mona Lisa”, a man, who does not have a necessary amount of knowledge in art, misses the opportunity to value a great work of art. While other artists dream of having such an important art work, other person who does not understand its value treats it as a piece of disturbing object. The story in “The Kakemono” is also about the knowledge of art. However, the character is able to maximize his knowledge to gain the best for him. The last short story in this study is “The Voice”. It reflects the life of a man who lives in a boarding house, far from his home. The isolation of past or time makes him think about his village and more importantly miss his mother.

  These short stories are very interesting to be studied further. As human being, we are bound to have isolations in our life. These isolations may bring good and bad impacts for human beings. In these short stories, Soseki gives the variety of perspectives. Understanding the short stories will be better by relating Soseki’s real life with these short stories. Therefore, this study is performed to reveal human isolations as reflected in Soseki’s short stories and how those short stories reflects in Soseki’s life.

  1.2 Objective of the Study

  The objective of the study is to explain the meaning of cultural struggle through human isolation as seen in Soseki’s five short stories; “The Persimmons”, “The Human Being”, “Mona Lisa”, “The Kakemono”, and “The Voice”.

  1.3 Problem Formulation

  In order to limit the study and make it clear with its focus, the writer makes two points of discussion based on the background stated above. The problems of this study are formulated as follows:

  1.3.1 How is human isolation described in Soseki’s five short stories; “The Persimmons”, “The Human Being”, “Mona Lisa”, “The Kakemono”, and “The Voice”?

  1.3.2 How is human isolation reflected in Soseki’s real life?

1.4 Benefits of the Study

  Reading literary works can bring many benefits such as pleasure, enjoyment, and knowledge about human life. The work of literature such as short can be acquired from this study are firstly, it gives better interpretation for Soseki’s work. By sharing the life of Soseki, the understanding of his works will be easier. The writer applies biological approach in this study since most of Soseki’s works are reflections of his own life. Secondly, from this study, it is proved that human daily life and environment can provide an idea to write short story, yet it still gives a deep meaning for the readers. It is expected that the readers who are interested in writing literary works are able to develop a simple idea to become a meaningful work of art. Finally, this study can be used as materials for English language teaching-learning activity. The short stories can be used as materials for the students and also as an appreciation of literary works, especially Asian literary works.

1.5 Definition of Terms

1.5.1 Human isolation

  Based on Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English by AS Hornby, isolation is “being separated, put or kept apart from others” (1974: 461). In this study, human isolation is defined as a condition of a human being in which he or she is separated to a certain aspect of life. The isolation might lead to being expelled from some aspects of life, meaning that it gives negative effects, or becoming resistant to some aspects of life, meaning that it defends its idea or philosophy.

  In this study, human isolation is related to the theory of alienation. alienation in his book, Human Arrangement as feeling of isolation and loneliness as a result of social changes in modern complex society, where the value of speed, control, oppression, production, and obedience are more appreciated than those of happiness and satisfaction (1986: 238). In line with this, Durkheim adds that alienation is the feeling of insignificance and rootlessness that is resulted from the segmentation of life—family, work, friendship, and religion— that have very little connection one another (Johnson, 1986: 240).

1.5.2 Reflection

  Based on Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English by AS Hornby, reflection is “expression of a thought in writing or speech”. In this study, reflection is the meaning expressed in the short stories. The short story contains meaning which sometimes could be obtained by simply reading the short story and sometimes, it needs further references in order to get the meaning.

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE This chapter presents the theoretical background which is used to complete

  this study. It consists of four parts namely, Review of Related Theories, Review on the Historical-Biographical Background, Theoretical Framework and Context of the Short Stories. Review of Related Theories presents the relevant theories which are applied in conducting the study. This part consists of two points, namely biographical approach and sociocultural-historical approach. Review on the Historical-Biographical Background presents the life and background of Soseki Natsume and also the influence of Meiji Era on Soseki’s work which support the analysis of the study. Theoretical Framework explains the contribution of the theories and reviews in achieving the objective of the study; that is why they are needed and how they are applied in the study. Context of the Short Stories presents the settings of the short stories.

2.1 Review of Related Theories

  This part presents the theory related to the study to discuss Soseki Natsume’s five short stories in Spring Miscellany. The theory used in this study is the Theory of Critical Approach and the Theory of Alienation. The Theory of Critical Approach is proposed by Rohrberger and Woods. They state that there are five approaches in this theory which can be implemented in the study of literature. sociocultural-historical approach, the mythopoeic approach, and the psychological approach (Rohrberger and Woods, 1971: 6-15). There are only two of the approaches which are presented, since only these two approaches are implemented in this study. They are the biographical approach and the sociocultural-historical approach.

2.1.1 Biographical Approach

  The biographical approach concerns the importance of acknowledging the author’s personal life for a deeper understanding to his or her works. Rohrberger and Woods believe that the works of literature has its source within the biography of the author and the biographical provision itself supplies useful information which could facilitate literature analysts to better understanding and appreciation of the works (1971: 8). The work of an author is a reflection of the author’s personality. Therefore, this approach requires as much data as possible of the author’s background and information related to the author’s real life.

  Wellek and Warren suggest that there are several usages of biographical approach in studying literary works (1956: 79). First, biographical approach may explain many allusions and words in an author’s work. Second, this approach will give assistance in understanding the most obvious of all strictly developmental problems in the history of literature, for example the growth, maturation, and possible decline of the author’s works. Third, it accumulates materials for other questions of literary history such as author’s personal association with literary

  2.1.2 Sociocultural-Historical Approach

  The second approach implemented in this study is sociocultural-historical approach. This approach asserts the analysis of social, cultural, and historical background as reference to further understanding of the story. Many take the view that literature criticism of life that affects people in society, and that great literature expresses the values of orders, restraint and human dignity (1971: 9). It is suggested that the only way to locate the real work is in reference to the civilization that produce it. It means that in order to analyze and understand a literary work, it is necessary to analyze and understand the sociocultural and historical background when the literary work was produced. What happens in society at the time the literary work is produced influences the understanding of the story. The proponents of this approach suggest analyzing the sociocultural and historical background that can be found in the story itself and outside the story, in order to get the meaning of the story (1971: 9).

  2.1.3 Theory of Alienation

  The theory of alienation is related to human isolation discussed in this study. It explains the isolation experienced by Japanese people through the point of view of sociology. This part is divided into two sections, namely Alienation in Sociology, which presents the basic understanding of alienation from several experts, and The Phenomenon of Alienation in Modern Cities, which presents the condition of alienation in modern cities.

2.1.3.1 Alienation in Sociology

  The phenomenon of human alienation has been a significant discussion to sociological sciences, since this field of study concerns human behavior in certain community. R. A. Nisbet in The New Encyclopedia Britannica reviews that there are five causal theories concerning alienation: the economic, technological, sociological, philosophic-existensial, and psychological. In sociology, human alienation is mainly caused by the change from a simple agricultural society to a modern, complex industrial society (Nisbet, 1974: 574). Allan G. Johnson in his

  

Human Arrangement also states that in complex industrial societies, work is a

  specialized activity separate from other aspects of social life. People not only play a wide variety of power, but differ sharply from one another in power and their share of what is produced. Consequently, they are bound to one another by rational ties of formal secondary relationships in which the feeling of alienated and lonely arise. In addition, Slater argues that an extreme emphasis on individuals in a complex industrial society creates a cultural environment that frustrates basic human needs to trust and cooperate with others (Johnson, 1986: 238).

  Karl Marx also concerns about human alienation. His opinion about alienation is depicted in Marx’s Concept of Man. According to him, alienation means that man does not experience himself as the acting agent in his grasp of the world, but that the world (nature, others, and he himself) remain alien to him.

  Alienation is essentially experiencing the world and oneself passively, receptively,

  Another definition of alienation is brought by David A. Karp in his book

  

Sociology and Everyday Life , in which he defines alienation as feeling of

  rootlessness experienced by modern people mostly in urban-industrial society due to social change, the urge toward achievement and social mobility, and the weakening of community associations (1986: 128).

  Alienation, however, is a process; it does not happen suddenly to one’s life. There are some possible factors contributing alienation to someone’s life.

  One of those is the condition of modern life, in which a man is facing a number of hard choices. This is the reason why alienation happens more frequently in big cities rather than in rural areas. Another factor is the tight-scheduled working process in modern society, where people work more with machines, so that it is hard to build good relationships with others. The sense of depersonalization is arousing, and finally builds the sense of alienation (Johnson, 1986: 551).

  According to Ritchie P. Lowry and Robert P. Rankin in their book,

  

Sociology , social stratification in a particular society can also be the leading cause

  of alienation (1972: 300). Based on these strata, the low class people do not possess power and wealth that they are becoming unconfident to be together with the upper one in communal or political activities. These people are apathetic to join social clubs, political parties, or action committees because of the lack of intellectual skill they undergo (1972: 301).

2.1.3.1 The Phenomenon of Alienation in Modern Cities

  The belief that cities provide much better living makes people from rural areas decide to move to those cities, leaving their rural life behind. The different condition between cities and rural areas, then contribute difference in people’s social attitudes. As a result, people living in a city are in different ways of socializing from those living in a rural area. David A. Karp calls a city as a world of strangers, where large numbers of individuals with varied background live crowded together in a limited space (1986: 109). Those people are very heterogeneous in terms of ethnic background, religions, even education that they are unfamiliar one another. In addition, George Simmel, as cited by Karps, adds that the urban person is reacting with his head instead of his heart. It is because the urban dwellers are bombarded with far more stimuli than they can possibly manage, so that they can only maintain superficial, impersonal relationship with fellow urbanites (1986: 126).

  In another passage, Karp adds his argument by describing the type of behavior found in urban setting. Because of its density, crowd, and tightscheduled activities, the city brings its inhabitants to the behavior of selectivity and noninvolvement. They have to choose the most prominent activities to do and decide not to be involved with people they regard unimportant to the development of their works or study. As a result, the urbanites are often depicted to be cold, indifferent, abrupt, and uncaring (1986: 127) Some sociologists tried to see the city life in the nineteenth century and found the major characteristics of an urban

  Modern society is characterized by increased rationality and individuality. In a modern society, people are less well integrated than those who live in preurban societies. As the result, the relationships between people in modern society become more contractual, artificial, and contrived. Ties to primary groups, therefore, are weaker in modern society. (Karp, 1986: 128)

  Related to this, Allan G. Johnson states The social value of individuals has reached its highest point in complex industrial societies such as the United States and Europe. As societies increasingly recognize the worth of individuals, their members are less vulnerable to being “buried” in the group, to having no right to stand apart and celebrate their uniqueness. This, however, creates the danger of being isolated from groups, of feeling alienated and lonely. (1986: 238)

  The above opinions emphasize that the condition of life in big cities demands time-limitation, efficiency, and speed so that people in big cities are related impersonally rather than intimately. This makes some people feel lonely and meaningless to live in big densely cities. It, as a result, arouses the sense of alienation of modern life.

2.2 Reviews on the Historical-Biographical Background

  Since this study employs biographical approach and sociocultural- historical approach, it is necessary to include this part. This part presents two points. The Early Life of Soseki Natsume presents the short biography of Soseki Natsume and The Influence of Meiji Era in Soseki Natsume’s Works reveals the influence of social, cultural, and historical influence of Meiji Era, during which the short stories were written, towards Soseki works.

2.2.1 The Early Life of Soseki Natsume

  Soseki Natsume is perhaps the greatest of modern Japanese writers (Napier, 1996: 1). He was born with the name of Kinnosuke Natsume on February 9, 1867. At that time, his father was 53 years old and his mother was 40 years old.

  Kinnosuke’s parents were upper-class administrators who found their social standing suddenly undercut with the fall of the feudal system, as the Tokugawa Shogunate collapsed (Natsume, 2004: 9). This led to financial embarrassment to the family. His presence in the world was also unexpected since for a woman to have a baby at this age was considered as shameful. Because of financial embarrassment and having unexpected child in the family, Soseki’s parents gave their younger son Kinnosuke to a local greengrocer. However, the greengrocers neglected Kinnosuke since they were busy with daily works, and left him outside their shop in the basket. One of his sisters brought him home to his original parents.

  A year later, his parents gave him to childless Shiobara and his wife, a former servant. However, domestic troubles led the couple to divorce and Kinnosuke returned to his original family when he was 9 years old. However, Kinnosuke was unaware with his relation to his new guardian, thinking that his parents were more distant relatives. He called them “grandfather” and “grandmother”, until one night his caretaker told him that they were in fact his father and mother (Rosidi, 1989: 49). At age 21, Kinnosuke finally regained the family name Natsume. A year later, he adopted the pen name Soseki, by which early life, Soseki experienced a series of crises concerning his sense of belonging and identity. The sad events of the first years of his life led to a powerful sense of dislocation which resembles in his works (Natsume, 2004: 9).

2.2.2 The Influence of Meiji Era in Soseki Natsume’s Works

  “Soseki’s own life span (1867-1916) coincided almost exactly with the long reign of Emperor Meiji (1868-1912), and thus with the Meiji Era that witnessed unprecedented change in Japan” (Natsume, 2004: 10). During this period, Japan experienced a massive change in every aspect. “All aspects of Japanese culture were deeply impregnated by Western art forms and thought” (Lehmann, 1982: 167). Alongside these cultural changes, there were also tremendous technological and industrial advances that transformed the Japanese economy and urban landscape.

  When Soseki was one year old, Emperor Meiji proclaimed his “Five Articles” that ousted the samurai from their seats of power, promoted Western- style education, and opened the door for wide range of institutional and social reforms (Natsume, 2004: 10). At that time, Japanese intellectuals and humanists were in a massive move to imitate everything which comes from Western civilization. In fact, there were people who suggested throwing Japanese culture away and in order to modernize Japan, using Latin letters and English only.

  Indeed, Soseki lived in a crucial period in Japan history. In literature world, the first half of Meiji Era is the era of converting Western literature into literature produced during the second half of Meiji Era (Rosidi, 1989: 56). As a person who had studied Western literature, especially British, Soseki saw that Japanese literature cannot ignore its character. He states that people may say Western literature is more modern and Japanese literature cannot shows its proud towards Western literature; however people should also remember that these two cultures are completely different (Swann, 1976: 161). Soseki insists that each culture has its own uniqueness, thus people should not forget their own cultural value. Through his works he tries to give description of the problems and also the solutions of many challenges faced by his country, especially regarding the process of modernization under Emperor Meiji which caused conflicts between values coming from Western culture and existing values in Japan (Rosidi, 1989: 57). The Meiji Era left un-erased mark on him and others of his generation. “All of his literary works reflects his preoccupation with the cultural and spiritual dangers associated with such rapid change” (Natsume, 2004: 10). Inger Sigrun Brodey states that just as Soseki moved from house to house as a young child and grew to be a stranger in his own home, not even recognizing his own parents, Soseki describes the people of Meiji generation as straddling cultures, dislocated both from Japan’s past as well as from its future (Natsume, 2004: 11).

2.3 Theoretical Framework

  This section explains the contributions of theories and reviews in achieving the objective of the study which is to find the meaning of human Being”, “Mona Lisa”, “The Kakemono”, and “The Voice”. Those short stories describe human isolation in many perspectives. In “The Persimmons” and “The Human Being”, human isolation is depicted in the form of social class; in “Mona Lisa” and “The Kakemono”, it is described in the form of knowledge of art; in “The Voice” it is presented The approaches implemented in this study were biographical approach and sociocultural-historical approach. These approaches were employed to develop understanding towards the meaning in Soseki Natsume’s works. The biographical approach referred to the biography of the early life of Soseki Natsume and the sociocultural-historical approach referred to the influence of Meiji Era during which Soseki Natsume was living.

  The biographical approach related the early life of Soseki’s life to the short stories which was significant to build understanding to the works. Young Soseki experienced a series of crises concerning his sense of belonging and identity. He moved from house to house as a young child and grew to be a stranger in his own home, not knowing his real parents. This series of experiences influences the nature of his works. The sense of belonging, which is what people have and do not have, leads to limitations for human being. These limitations in this study are called human isolation. It may bring positive and negative effects.

  Sociocultural-historical approach was also employed to give another perspective to Soseki’s real life. Soseki lived during the long reign of Emperor Meiji from 1868 to 1912. The period, which is called the Meiji Era, was marked with rapid and massive changes in Japanese culture. Western culture were daily life, from politics, bureaucracy, education, and also culture. Japanese literature was also influenced. At the first half of Meiji Era, Western literature was translated into Japanese and studied by Japanese writers, thus it influenced the Japanese literary works produced in the second half of the era. Soseki’s works, which was started in the second half of Meiji Era, resemble the influence of Western civilization. However, Soseki did not implement Western literature into his works, but rather he revealed social and cultural problems occurred during Meiji Era in which he described that people started to lose innocence and moral integrity of Japan’s past and pursue the attraction of modernity. This is similar to Soseki’s experience in his early years. There was also issues regarding belonging and identity in Japan which arose from rapid change and dissociation from their past.

2.4 Context of the Short Stories

  Soseki Natsume wrote Spring Miscellany in 2002 in Japan. The book consists of eight short stories and seventeen essays. Some of the essays tell his experience during his stay in London from 1900 to 1902. Soseki was forty-three years old when he published the book. At this time, his major works, such as I am

  

a Cat (1905) and Botchan (1906) had already been published. He was firmly

established as a major novelist in Japan (Natsume, 2002: 8).

  During this time, Emperor Meiji still ruled Japan. The long reign of Emperor Meiji during 1868 – 1912 gave massive influence towards the were deeply impregnated by Western art forms and thought” (Lehmann, 1982: 167). At that time, Japanese intellectuals and humanists were in a massive move to imitate everything which came from Western civilization. In literature world, the first half of Meiji Era is the era of converting Western literature into Japanese language. This resulted in wide spread of Western influence in Japanese literature produced during the second half of Meiji Era (Rosidi, 1989: 56). Western influence also appears in Soseki’s works. He revealed social and cultural problems occurred during Meiji Era in which he described that people started to lose innocence and moral integrity of Japan’s past and pursue the attraction of modernity.

  The setting in the short story is similar to the time when Natsume wrote the story. In the short stories; “The Persimmons”, “The Human Being”, “Mona Lisa”, “The Kakemono”, and “The Voice”, there are evidences showing that they occur in Meiji Era when modernization or Westernization took place. In “The Persimmons”, the sense of Westernization can be found on the way the character arranges her hair in Western manner. In “The Human Being”, the main character is going to Yurakuza which shows that the story has Western influence. It is revealed in the footnote of the short story, Yurakuza is the first theater in the Western style which was built in 1908 (Natsume, 2002: 61).