English/Environmental Studies 244: Japanese Nature Writing

SHORT PAPER ON KAWABATA

The paper is an opportunity for you to delve more deeply into the view of nature in Kawabata’s Snow Country. “View of nature” is not, however, the topic of the paper. Especially in a short paper like this, it is essential that you have a narrow focus so you can probe deeply into the subject. You should choose a particular idea, theme, image, or character, and explore how it is related to nature and how it articulates aspects of Kawabata’s view of nature. The index to Snow Country in the Study Aids should be useful to you in finding passages related to your topic. Here are some examples of a topic:

  • Window
  • The Milky Way (Heaven’s River)
  • The color red
  • Clean/pure,
  • Sound and silence
  • Yoko

Ask two basic questions about the topic. What different ways is the image/theme/character represented in the novel? How does it function to suggest Kawabata’s view of nature? These should lead you to more specific questions, depending on your particular focus

The paper should both articulate a general sense of Kawabata’s view of nature and interpret specific passages (at least two). It should also make use, where appropriate, with Kawabata readings in the Study Aids in addition to Snow Country: selections from his Nobel Prize speech, quotes from secondary sources, my “Other World” sheet, etc.

The paper should be typed, double-spaced, one-inch margins, and three to four pages (in 12 point Times New Roman, one inch margins).

 

Criteria for evaluation

  • Is the paper focused on Kawabata’s view of nature?
  • Does the paper explore in some depth a specific and narrowly-defined topic?
  • Does the paper look for complexity: in the meaning of images and themes, in particular passages, in Kawabata’s view of nature?
  • Does the paper give the reader a sense of Kawabata’s overall view of nature?
  • Does it interpret at least two passages in the book?
  • Does the paper use additional Kawabata readings?
  • Does it support the interpretation with quotes from the text, analysis, and quotes from secondary sources?
  • Does it have effective and efficient organization?
  • Is it written clearly and properly?
  • Is it the proper length?

There will be no class meeting on the last scheduled class of the semester. The paper is due in my office by noon on that day. At that time I will collect all the papers and head home to begin grading. Late papers will not be accepted except for extreme emergencies. Plan ahead, and hand in what you have by noon. And have a great summer.


 

 

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Last updated: March 14, 2007