earticle

영어

This paper examines how the relationship between ‘home’ and ‘women’ in Gothic literature is reinterpreted within a Japanese context through Mishima Yukio’s play Tropical Tree (1960). Mishima’s works are heavily influenced by Western Gothic literature, and it is evident that the concept of ‘home’ functions as a symbol of repression and conflict in his writing. In Tropical Tree, Mishima skillfully integrates Gothic literary traditions, depicting repression and destructive conflict within the confined space of the family. Notably, the character of the mother, Ritsuko, plays a central role in the family, highlighting its dark undercurrents through extreme themes of familial collapse and incest. Ritsuko’s multifaceted portrayal reflects the complexity of female characters in Gothic literature, with her dominance and repression of the family reinterpreted within Mishima’s unique context. Furthermore, the ‘home’ depicted in Mishima’s play transcends mere physical space to symbolize oppression and isolation. This depiction reflects post-war Japanese family structures and social repression, illustrating how Mishima adapted Gothic literary elements to a Japanese context. Particularly, Mishima’s work establishes its uniqueness at the intersection of post-war societal conditions and Gothic traditions. Overall, Tropical Tree reconfigures Gothic literary traditions within a Japanese context, offering both literary depth and social critique through its portrayal of repression and conflict within the family. This analysis reveals how Mishima’s literary world connects with and transforms Western Gothic literature in a Japanese context. Mishima’s works provide significant insights into the layered understanding of literature through the intersection of Gothic tradition and Japanese social background.