Essay Questions

What is the emblematic meaning of the helicopter ride?

The helicopter ride that Kazu fails to afford for his children symbolizes his social and economic status. Kazu is a poor man who cannot afford to give the luxuries that his children want. When he goes out with his children, he sees other parents doing luxurious shopping for them, but he cannot do the same for them. According to Kazu, life is unfair, and he accepts his fate of dying a poor man.

Why are the authorities commanding the homeless people in Ueno Park to pack their belongings and go?

Whenever the Emperor is taking a ride in the park, the homeless people are harassed and forced to remove their belongings to pave the way. Kazu and his fellow homeless people are forced to vacate the park for a while. When the Emperor rides along the park, the homeless people cheer him. The trend continues, and Kazu gets used to it. The problem is that the homeless people are not notified in advance to vacate the park, but they are harassed, and there is nothing they can do.

What is the main theme in the novel "Tokyo Ueno Station?"

The primary theme in the entire novel is poverty. Kazu and many other homeless people live in the park because they cannot afford accommodation or decent living. The cost of living is high, and Kazu remembers how he severally failed to provide for his family. Shige shares a similar predicament, which forced him to come to live with the homeless community in the park.