The Relationship of Theme and Structure
The Relationship of Theme and Structure
This chapter considers the relationship between theme and structure in the Sarashina Diary. The ordering of passages in the Sarashina Diary is closely related to the two themes that run through the text. One is the deluding force of an infatuation with literature, expressed in narrative passages of retrospective reflection. The other is the saving—or at least consoling—powers of literature, which emerges implicitly from lyrical passages centered on poetry. This chapter also examines the long sequence of lyrical passages known as the “Higashiyama record” and how these undercut Sarashina Diary's overt theme. It concludes that Sugawara no Takasue no Musume's methodical use of lyrical passages enabled her to capture the paradoxical value of tales and poetry in her life.
Keywords: literature, Sarashina Diary, narrative passages, lyrical passages, poetry, Higashiyama record, Sugawara no Takasue no Musume, theme, structure
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