beyond the curve
Beyond the Curve, written by Kobo Abe sends a message to his fellow Japanese citizens. He constructs an allegory based on honor, identity, and Dante's Hell. Abe's choice of writing allows us to think deeper than the obvious, and "read between the lines." "Dendrocacalia" is written as an allegory. It can be interpreted in relation to World War II. The main character, Common, is representative of ordinary Japanese citizens during the war. He is being punished for actions that he, himself, did not knowingly commit. For his punishment, Common transforms into a tree rooted in the earth. His face slips off, his arms are made into leaves and branches, and his legs become the trunk of the tree. In this illustration, this torment is what many Japanese endured during World War II. Many were harmed during numerous bombings and other wartime casualties. These Japanese citizens were harmed for the actions of the state, not the individual themselves. Each citizen lost part of their honor, as well as their personal dignity during this unsettling time. They were a the mercy of their government and were forced to face the repercussions of governmental actions In dealing with honor, the concept of suicide is discussed. Throug
Kobo Abe noted, in Beyond the Curve, "Transformation into a plant meant avoiding unhappiness, at the cost of future happiness; salvation from sin meant being thrown into the midst of Sin"(58). The burning and fire would purge his sins, just as it purged the tribe of Zeus. They did not order the bombs that were dropped on Pearl Harbor in a surprise attack. Upon his realization of this, he saw that the only explanation for these strange occurrences in his life were that he had previously committed suicide, without knowing, and was now in Hell and having to suffer for his sins (55). Dante's Hell is a place of fire where people go to purge their sins. He would not let this unexplainable power defeat him, for if he died at the mercy of another force other than his own, would be dishonorable, as well as sinful. Eventually, he gave in and decided to live in the Botanical Garden. Common allowed the powers that be exceed him, but he did it with suspicion and restraint. He tries desperately to hold on to his human identity, despite the obvious physical struggles, as well as the personal advice and council from the Director of the Botanical Garden. The director gives him specific directions, and the assistant obeys accordingly. Yet, they were forced to deal with its results through the atomic bombs America dropped on them. He fought the transformations, repeatedly. They were forced to endure many horrific tortures, as well as suffer genetic abnormalities caused by the dropping of atomic bombs, for actions that did not directly involve them. The assistant to the director acts as a loyal follower. The assistant acts only when the directory tells him.
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Acceptance Essays
