Deep River Essay
Examining the Transformation of Mitsuko and Otsu
Deep River by Shusaku Endo discusses several themes and ideas of the human condition while following several main characters that converge on the river Ganges. Two of the main protagonists that are followed in the novel are on different journeys with their lives, but are heavily influenced by one another. These characters are Mitsuko and Otsu. As such, Endo demonstrates their differences and how their interactions with each other will help shape their views on different aspects of life throughout the novel. In order to show the spiritual, emotional, and mental transformations of these characters, it is essential to analyze the characters from the beginning of the novel to the end of the novel, and the differences recognized through their experiences.
The novel first really looks into the characters of Mitsuko and Otsu in their years of attending college together. Otsu is first described as an awkward religious student while Mitsuko is a declared atheist who is studying French literature. Endo is able to describe Mitsuko further in the novel in relation to her friends. Mitsuko is called Moira by her friends, in honor of the title character of a French novel by Julien Green. Green's Moira seduces a puritanical student by the name of Joseph. Likewise, Mitsuko attempts to seduce Otsu several times in their college story. Her aim is to torment him both with sexual desire and with anti-religious arguments so that he will stop pursuing his spiritual vocation. In their first described encounter, Mitsuko asks questions such as "Are you a Christian?” and “Do you really believe it?” (37).
These pondering questions were small in comparison to what Mitsuko would continue to do to Otsu in their coming encounters. At a party, Mitsuko and her friends force Otsu to keep drinking alcohol until he agrees to forsake God. However, he just continually goes to the bathroom vomiting and saying, "Even if I try to abandon God... God
Deep River by Shusaku Endo discusses several themes and ideas of the human condition while following several main characters that converge on the river Ganges. Two of the main protagonists that are followed in the novel are on different journeys with their lives, but are heavily influenced by one another. These characters are Mitsuko and Otsu. As such, Endo demonstrates their differences and how their interactions with each other will help shape their views on different aspects of life throughout the novel. In order to show the spiritual, emotional, and mental transformations of these characters, it is essential to analyze the characters from the beginning of the novel to the end of the novel, and the differences recognized through their experiences.
The novel first really looks into the characters of Mitsuko and Otsu in their years of attending college together. Otsu is first described as an awkward religious student while Mitsuko is a declared atheist who is studying French literature. Endo is able to describe Mitsuko further in the novel in relation to her friends. Mitsuko is called Moira by her friends, in honor of the title character of a French novel by Julien Green. Green's Moira seduces a puritanical student by the name of Joseph. Likewise, Mitsuko attempts to seduce Otsu several times in their college story. Her aim is to torment him both with sexual desire and with anti-religious arguments so that he will stop pursuing his spiritual vocation. In their first described encounter, Mitsuko asks questions such as "Are you a Christian?” and “Do you really believe it?” (37).
These pondering questions were small in comparison to what Mitsuko would continue to do to Otsu in their coming encounters. At a party, Mitsuko and her friends force Otsu to keep drinking alcohol until he agrees to forsake God. However, he just continually goes to the bathroom vomiting and saying, "Even if I try to abandon God... God