| Summary: | 碩士 === 東吳大學 === 日本語文學系 === 100 === Ryunosuke Akutagawa was a Japanese writer active in the Taisho period in Japan. He was interested in both classical Chinese and Japanese literatures, and he was fluent in Chinese from an early age. After primary school, the introduction of European literature had a strong influence on him; he started to immerse himself in Western literature. Therefore, many adaptations of Ryunosuke’s works from early stage were adapted from multiple literatures (“hon ann” in Japanese).
The themes in his early adaptations are reflected on the focus of 2 or 3 main characters. We will take a close look at Ryunosuke’s early adaptations and discuss the human images in his literature. As well, we will talk about the similarities in the personality, thinking as well as actions of Ryunosuke’s characters through the comparison of his works and that of the original.
In different themes, what images were caused by characters in creations? Are there common or different points among these images? Or as previous scholar’s statement, women portrayed as negative in Ryunosuke’s works? Can positive images be found? What messages were Ryunosuke trying to convey? This essay will emphasize on the above mentioned points.
After some close study, I found out that in his dynastic adaptations “Rashomon”, “Chuutou” ,“Hana” which were adapted from Japanese sources “Konjaku monogatari” etc., humans in stories were being portrayed as in agony, oppression, misanthrope, contempt which were negative images in writings. On the other hand, in his children stories “Kumo no Ito”, “Toshishun”, almost all the characters show their agony, media for egoism. Nevertheless, in Ryunosuke’s novels we are still able to find many positive human attributes. Furthermore, for “What messages were Ryunosuke trying to convey?”, Ryunosuke’s personal thoughts on human nature are reflected through the common points in his characters . I believe that my thorough research and analysis will help readers better understand human image in Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s early adaptation literature.
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