Page:Tayama Katai and His Novel Entitled Futon (Reece).pdf/85

 But in reality, Tokio is a man who takes the middle of the road in spite of his ideals which advocate an emancipation from convention. His ideals cannot penetrate into the very core of his being where it may turn these concepts into action. Tokio explains his irrationality in the following paragraph:

"He possessed a certain strength which did not permit indulgence. Even though he regretted being controlled by this innate strength of character, he eventually gave in to it. On account of this strength he experienced the bitterness of being excluded from fortune, but people regarded him as a righteous and trustworthy man."

Tokio's rationalization is self evident in that he is still oppressively governed by traditional values which inhibit the expression of affection towards his pupil; therefore, he does not have the determination to go his own way like Johannes. Tokio oscillates between the two poles of duty and love.

"Tokio was worried. His thoughts wavered in judgment several times a day. One time he thought he was prepared to sacrifice himself for their sake. Another time, he thought that he would stop her love affair at one stroke by revealing the true situation to her parents. But, in his present state of mind he could not venture to select either of these plans."

Unlike Johannes, Tokio is in reality a man who upholds traditional ethics. The following paragraphs elucidate this characteristic of Tokio.

He worried seriously about Yoshiko's love affair and her subsequent life. He compared their ennui, weariness, and callousness, after living together, with his own experiences. And, he sympathized with a woman's pitiful situation having submitted to a man's will. A pessimistic view of life for the dark mystery hidden in the innermost