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Honor and shame
In Japanese culture, a man was not measured by his innocence or guilt, but by his honor. By behaving in a way that disregarded the sacredness of others, Suezo has earned his ill repute.
Duty to one's family
Otama however is regarded as a sacrifice for her aging father and as a servant, making a way for her and her father in one of the few ways women could; even in her ethically questionable role as a sexual servant for her master, she considers her duty to be sacred and important, and she does her very best for Suezo, even though he is an evil man. She does this for her father, unquestionably.
Social inequality
The basic problem presented in the story is that there is a large schism between the working class and the reigning class in 19th century Japan. The reality was that when a family was left without resources in Japan, that their station in life became dangerous and scarce. This is the basic problem that Otama's sacrifice solves.
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The Wild Geese Questions and Answers
The Question and Answer section for The Wild Geese is a great
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The Wild Geese study guide contains a biography of Ogai Mori, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
The Wild Geese essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Wild Geese by Ogai Mori.
Social inequality
The basic problem presented in the story is that there is a large schism between the working class and the reigning class in 19th century Japan. The reality was that when a family was left without resources in Japan, that their station in life became dangerous and scarce. This is the basic problem that Otama's sacrifice solves.