Tokyo Story: The Temptation of Uniform
Contrast the parents (Onomichi/Tradition) with the children (Tokyo/Modernity). Use the children's "uniforms" to argue they have become cogs in a machine, viewing their parents as "burdens" to their busy, standardized schedules. Noriko: The Exception:
The rainy season in Tokyo had a way of blurring the edges of the city. The sky was a uniform gray, matching the concrete, matching the hurried faces of the commuters.
The character of Norikichi, the eldest son, embodies the temptation of uniformity. He is a successful businessman who has adopted Western customs and values, evident in his modern home, Western-style furniture, and his disdain for traditional practices. Norikichi's wife, Fumiko, also exemplifies the desire for uniformity, as she is portrayed as a Westernized, modern woman who looks down upon her parents' old-fashioned ways.
Symbolism: Uniforms signify a specific stage in life, particularly the innocence and "fleeting nature" of youth (mono no aware).
Tokyo Story: The Temptation of Uniform
Contrast the parents (Onomichi/Tradition) with the children (Tokyo/Modernity). Use the children's "uniforms" to argue they have become cogs in a machine, viewing their parents as "burdens" to their busy, standardized schedules. Noriko: The Exception:
The rainy season in Tokyo had a way of blurring the edges of the city. The sky was a uniform gray, matching the concrete, matching the hurried faces of the commuters.
The character of Norikichi, the eldest son, embodies the temptation of uniformity. He is a successful businessman who has adopted Western customs and values, evident in his modern home, Western-style furniture, and his disdain for traditional practices. Norikichi's wife, Fumiko, also exemplifies the desire for uniformity, as she is portrayed as a Westernized, modern woman who looks down upon her parents' old-fashioned ways.
Symbolism: Uniforms signify a specific stage in life, particularly the innocence and "fleeting nature" of youth (mono no aware).
