What is Literature ? According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language,
the term Literature is defined as
“Imaginative or creative writing, especially of recognized artistic value: “Literature must be
an analysis of experience and a synthesis of the findings into a unity” (Rebecca West).”
The Collins English Dictionary describes it as
“written material such as poetry, novels, essays, etc., esp. works of imagination
characterized by excellence of style and expression and by themes of general or
enduring interest.”
The emphasis in the first definition lies in the words “of recognized artistic value.” However,
in my opinion, what makes literature in the sense of “printed material” Literature is not
necessarily the recognition of its artistic value. As far as the second definition is concerned,
“by excellence of style and expression and by themes of general or enduring interest” seems
of primary importance. In opposition to this view, I believe that neither excellence of style
and expression nor themes of general interest are necessarily characteristic for what should
be considered Literature. In my understanding, everything that addresses our emotions, that
makes us feel for one moment with a situation described is of “artistic value,” and that things
that are not of general interest and may not excel in style and expression can still be equal
to the “Great Literature” recognized by the academic and literary world.
Critics have long considered Toshio Mori’s work
“overly sentimental and poorly plotted [… and] full of grammatical errors.” [...]
Table of Contents
1. Literature or Not Literature ? – That’s the Question …
2. Toshio Mori – a realistic and multidimensional Japanese American Nisei writer
Objective and Research Scope
This paper explores the literary work of Toshio Mori, the first Japanese American writer, analyzing his multidimensional narrative approach that transcends mere realism. The central research question examines how Mori’s stories function as a complex synthesis of cultural, historical, spiritual, and universal themes, challenging traditional categorizations of "literature" and providing a unique perspective on the Japanese American experience.
- The intersection of Japanese and American cultural identities in Mori's writing.
- Mori's use of literary realism and its application in depicting the internment experience.
- The autobiographical, historical, and spiritual dimensions of his short stories.
- The theme of universality and timelessness as a mechanism for cultural empathy.
- The stylistic and formal qualities of Mori's prose and his role as a voice for his community.
Excerpt from the Book
Toshio Mori – a realistic and multidimensional Japanese American Nisei writer
This judgment is only half of the story though. There is so much more to Toshio Mori’s stylistically simple works than realism and compassion. Realism is a major aspect when looking at his works but, beyond that, he portrays a multidimensional world. He oscillates between historical, autobiographical, symbolic, universal, spiritual and transcendental, artistic and cultural, paradoxical, linguistic, pedagogical, political and prophetic spheres, trying to describe his and his contemporary Japanese Americans’ position in between Japanese and American culture and their unique way of life as Americans of Japanese ancestry in the United States.
After this introduction I will mention major facts about the author’s life that have shaped his work, and I am going to give an overview over his work as a whole. Then, I will describe some of the dimensions that can be frequently found in his stories, but I will also mention other dimensions that can be found in only some of his stories. For most of the dimensions I will cite one or several stories to illustrate my point. In the conclusion I will sum up and point out aspects that I have not been able to include in this paper but that are worth looking at a little more in detail.
Toshio Mori was the first Japanese American writer. He was born, raised and he died in San Leandro, California. His upbringing was typically Japanese, as far as language, customs, social ethics, spiritual values, and cultural aesthetics were concerned. At the same time, he was also typically American by his high school education, because he loved baseball, and because he rose from humble origins to be a businessman and self-taught published author.
Summary of Chapters
Literature or Not Literature ? – That’s the Question …: This section establishes the theoretical framework by questioning traditional definitions of literature and introducing Toshio Mori as a significant but often overlooked literary figure.
Toshio Mori – a realistic and multidimensional Japanese American Nisei writer: This chapter provides a biographical overview of Mori and examines the various thematic dimensions—such as historical realism, spiritual symbolism, and universality—that define his narrative style.
Keywords
Toshio Mori, Japanese American literature, Nisei, literary realism, internment, satori, cultural identity, Yokohama California, The Chauvinist, storytelling, universality, autobiography, Zen Buddhism, social history, narrative voice
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the literary works of Toshio Mori, examining how his stories represent the Japanese American experience through a multidimensional lens rather than just simple realism.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the internment experience, the conflict and fusion of Japanese and American identities, the role of Zen Buddhism, and the universality of human struggle.
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to analyze the complexity of Mori’s stories to prove that his work possesses high literary value, despite historical neglect by mainstream critics.
Which methodology does the author use?
The author employs a literary analysis approach, citing specific short stories to illustrate various thematic dimensions and comparing Mori’s work to broader literary and historical contexts.
What does the main body cover?
The main body investigates specific dimensions of Mori’s writing, including historical, autobiographical, spiritual, and symbolic facets, supported by evidence from works like "The Travelers" and "The Seventh Street Philosopher."
Which keywords best describe the paper?
Important keywords include Toshio Mori, Japanese American literature, literary realism, cultural identity, internment, and universality.
How does the story "The Travelers" reflect the author's argument about realism?
The author uses "The Travelers" to demonstrate how Mori portrays the internment experience as authentic and grounded, focusing on the humanity of the characters rather than political idealization.
What is the significance of the "Seventh Street Philosopher" regarding Mori's spiritual themes?
This story is used to highlight the influence of Zen Buddhism and Emersonian philosophy on Mori’s work, portraying the protagonist as a fictional representation of the author himself.
- Quote paper
- B.A. Stephanie Wössner (Author), 2003, Literature or Not Literature: That's the question , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/138132
