ort sentences, which is an integral part of this 'practicality'
             The second sentence immediately following this background setting sentence is an equally efficient sentence in introducing the story's theme of death and the attitude of the narrator towards it. It is another example of Shiga's 'to the point' style. "If I developed tuberculosis of the spine it could be fatal, but the doctor did not think it would". We can see in one sentence that despite a professional's opinion that it was unlikely, Shiga is concerned about his own death, which in his mind has not yet been avoided and still threateningly hangs over him. This makes us understand his interest in death which goes on to be the main factor in what he notices in his three weeks at Kinosaki.
             Later, in the third paragraph, Shiga explains his melancholy state of mind and his gloomy thoughts that absorbed him at the beginning of his convalescence very directly. He talks of how he would be lying in his family's grave, describing his appearance with his face "green and cold and hard" and his wounds "would be as they were that day". He hastens to add how these thoughts were "Gloomy thoughts, but they held little terror" which clearly conveys his confusion on how he should accept death. This directness is what 'naturalism' is all about; turning self-observation and perception into literature, and in the case where the writer has not clearly defined their pronouncements on life clearly themselves, they simply convey their consciousness with as much sincerity as possible. Francis Mathay, in her book on Shiga Naoya, writes: "The Naturalists rejected all the ideals of a former age and sought to renounce empty lies, eschew all decoration, scrutinize the self, and make earnest confession of what they found".
             Having said Shiga's style is 'matter of fact' and 'to the point', in no way is his writing simple. Shiga writes clear descriptions of the nature and scenery around h...