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Written by Yasser Owino
Duty/Obligation
In the film, there is an inner conflict between what is expected of you by society and what you expect from yourself. The filmmaker uses theatrical impulses to stage scenes of excessive and overwhelming eroticism. Something opposite to the requirements of social convention. This is portrayed by both Koharu, the prostitute and Osan, the wife who are the polar opposite of one another but played by the same actress. It shows the struggle to remain socially repressed and the endless desire to free oneself from societal shackles.
Social Injustice
Jihei trying to juggle both Koharu and Osan adds more social responsibility which becomes overwhelming for him. By the time the couple commits suicide to escape the social rules of the Japanese culture, everything has been taken away from them by the filmmaker. They no longer have control over their lives as they’ve become literal puppets to their story. The social injustice is pushed heavily onto the characters that the viewer has no choice but to push back. This is perfectly shown in the final aerial shot of the couple lying dead on the ground.
Feminism
The portrayal of Osan and Koharu played by one actress dares to suggest that a woman can be both dedicated to her duties as a wife and also be full of passion and freedom in Japanese society. This type of role-playing further confirms Shinoda as a great filmmaker of feminism in Japanese film history.
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Double Suicide Questions and Answers
The Question and Answer section for Double Suicide is a great
resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
Double Suicide study guide contains a biography of director Masahiro Shinoda, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
Double Suicide essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Double Suicide, directed by Masahiro Shinoda.
Social Injustice
Jihei trying to juggle both Koharu and Osan adds more social responsibility which becomes overwhelming for him. By the time the couple commits suicide to escape the social rules of the Japanese culture, everything has been taken away from them by the filmmaker. They no longer have control over their lives as they’ve become literal puppets to their story. The social injustice is pushed heavily onto the characters that the viewer has no choice but to push back. This is perfectly shown in the final aerial shot of the couple lying dead on the ground.