In The Sound of Waves, Yukio Mishima conveys the loss of traditional values ​​in Japan due to Westernization after World War II. Through powerful symbols and juxtapositions, Mishima effectively expresses his anger towards the devastating effects of war, as well as a corrupt society, on Japan. With this novel Mishima sends the message that "the old path is the right path". In times of oppression and hardship, Mishima was still able to portray these hardships, such as the loss of culture, which gives the work great meaning. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay World War II transformed Japan economically and socially; furthermore, it significantly influenced the way writers began to write (Japanese History: Postwar (1945)). After the war Japanese writers began to write with darker connotations. Many writers included themes of disaffection and defeat in their works; writers had to address “moral and intellectual questions in their attempts to raise social and political consciousness” (post-war Japanese literature). However, Mishima's writing did not resemble the styles of these authors. "Yukio Mishima" is a pseudonym of Kimitake Hiraoka, Mishima changed his name to hide from his father (Belsky), he oppressed Mishima's ideas, even before the war broke out. All this rejection contributed greatly to Mishima's style; he ingeniously used symbols to hide the true meaning of his stories just as he used a pseudonym to hide his true identity. Even though he conveyed the same dark message as other writers of his era, he hid it with symbols. Mishima's use of symbols such as the ocean and weather represents the loss of culture that Westernization has brought to Japan. Mishima's style is almost like a Japanese dance, very delicate but powerful. The Sound of Waves is an example of this "dance" where the story appears to be very delicate and simple, but has an important meaning that reflects Japan being corrupted by Western influences brought by the war. One quality of Mishima's writing is his extensive use of symbols throughout his novel. Furthermore, The Sound of Waves could be called a concept representing a Westernized Japan. The ocean is one of the most important elements of the novel. Since Uta-jima is surrounded by it, it washes away impurities from the city. The people, who have never left the island, are pure, simple and honest. “There were only four street lights on the island […] they intimidate and hold back the night” (Mishima 90). The village, unlike the city, is not modernized; this adds to the theme of Westernization, the island, which is perceived as more peaceful and honest than the city, represents traditional Japan, and the city, which is rapidly adopting the greedy customs of the West, represents the new Japan. The people who leave the island, such as Hiroshi, Yasuo, and Chiyoko, are seen as evil. Through this Mishima shows how Westernized Japan corrupts people. When Hiroshi returns from his trip to the city, he is even more disrespectful towards his mother. “But not a word Hiroshi had for all the historical places they had” (Mishima 96), his obliviousness towards historical places shows contempt for the old, which goes against the holistic theme of the novel that “the old way is that Right". way". Weather is as important as the ocean; every time the weather changes it is not about the meteorological phenomenon, but there is also a change in a character's reality. Storms playa very important role in challenging Shinji to become corrupt. They encourage him and Hatsue to break moral codes; however, they do not prove that some people have not yet been corrupted. They also prevent Shinji from proving himself to be a "go-getter". “The wind came attacking from the dark reaches of the night, hitting him full in the body, […] a little out of shape” (Mishima 162). However, Shinji proves capable of saving the day. Furthermore, this task is very significant for the novel, because it is when Shinji struggles to survive that he transforms from a young fisherman into a man. Time and the ocean are at odds with each other. While the ocean prevents Westernization, the climate encourages it. Mishima emphasizes the thought that "the old way is the right way" by using competitions. When Hatsue wins the diving competition and then gives the purse to Shinji's mother, she apologizes for her aunt's behavior. This supports the need to respect older methods. The rivalry between Yasuo and Shinji represents the conflict in Japan between who is better old or young. Shinji's success in proving himself to be a "go-getter" supports Mishima's message that he prefers old ways to new ones. Through his main characters, Mishima represents important characteristics of post- and pre-World War II Japan; this is significant because the contrast between these characters shows how traditional Japan is more honest than westernized Japan. Shinji is not very intelligent, however he is very hardworking, fair and honest; his personality represents old Japan. Since the lighthouse keeper helped him get through high school, he brings him fish for dinner in return. This shows respect and righteousness, qualities of Old Japan, on Shinji's part. Mishima mourned traditional Japan and in his book demonstrates his frustration with this change; states its message through the main character Shinji. Even though his impulses drive him to make love to Hatsue, he respects her choice not to break moral codes when they are at the lighthouse. This respect for women and moral codes shows the qualities of old Japan. Yasuo, unlike Shinji, is greedy, violent, rude, manipulative and stubborn. These qualities are due to his various trips to the city. These travels have corrupted him and his qualities represent Westernized Japan. Mishima emphasizes his message through the extensive use of juxtapositions between characters and locations. Yasuo's lazy and greedy personality contrasts with Shinji's honest and hardworking personality. Through the competition to obtain Hatsue, Mishima demonstrates the advantages of uncorrupted traditional Japan. The comparison between Chiyoko and Hatsue is reminiscent of that between Yasuo and Shinji, however, theirs is more physical. While Hatsue is cute and Shinji is in love with her, Chiyoko is ugly and Shinji only sees her as a friend. Furthermore, Chiyoko's jealousy led her to deviously plot against Hatsue and Shinji, something Hatsue would never have done; he also does not respect his parents, displaying characteristics of the Westernized Japan he experienced at university outside Uta-jima. As seen with Hiroshi, Chiyoko, and Yasuo, the city degrades honest people while the island remains honest. One reason that could explain this is that the island is surrounded by water while the city is not, supporting the fact that the ocean washes away impurities from the West. The Sound of Waves is a beautiful novel that at first glance appears to be a very simplistic romance. history. However, a closer examination of the author's personal life reveals that Mishima's intentions were not to please others with a cliché but to represent the causes of the Second World War. His cunning ways that hide traits of the.