![]() ![]() She sends Shimamura a note that she is enjoying the party but then she shows up in his room only to tell him how much she likes sake and that she has to get back to work. Toward the end of the book Komako is coming in and out of Shimamura’s room as she is supposed to be entertaining guests. This is especially true between Komako and Shimamura. ![]() Kawabata’s characters often do not say what they mean and their actions depart from their words. This juxtaposition tells the story of a culture where reputations are important. As Shimamura catches glimpses of Yoko in the train “window-mirror” instead of looking at her directly, I sensed the tight expectations he was controlling himself with, and then he “hastily lowered his eyes….it seemed wrong to look their way again.” Shimamura is not a shy man in general, as can be seen by his behavior with Komako, but he is careful about his public behavior. Kawabata conveys the unspoken rules of Japanese society through the actions of his characters. Because there are no large actions until the end of the novel, it is easy as a reader to devote great attention to each small element of the narrative. ![]() ![]() Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata is a compact little book and though quiet, it has a lot to say. ![]()
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