This blog post compares ‘The Last Song’ and ‘Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship’, analyzing the distinct characteristics of coming-of-age novels and the differences in personal growth depicted through their respective social contexts. Preface Just as people have diverse tastes in music, each person has their own favorite novels and preferred genres. The thrill and emotion I felt when I...
「The Selfish Gene」: Is Human Nature Determined by Genes or Shaped by Environment?
This blog post examines whether human nature is determined by genes or shaped by environment, based on 「The Selfish Gene」. As life sciences have recently become a major topic, the term ‘The Selfish Gene’ is being cited across various fields. I consider Richard Dawkins a scientist who captivates the world’s attention with his astonishing logic when discussing genetics. In this book...
Why does blind love make youth even more dangerous?
In this blog post, we deeply explore the meaning and background of why youthful emotions sometimes invite danger and tragedy, through the passionate and reckless love displayed by the protagonists in 『Manon Lescaut』. Nat King Cole was an American singer who passed away decades ago. Though he was active way back in the mid-1900s, he has a song that remains beloved by people today...
‘Full House’: What Does Progress Mean in Evolutionary Theory?
In this blog post, we explore new perspectives on progress and diversity in evolutionary theory through Stephen Jay Gould’s ‘Full House’, examining how he expanded Darwin’s theory of evolution. In ‘Full House’, Stephen Jay Gould argues that Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has been besieged by misunderstanding and prejudice. Before presenting his own theory on evolution, he...
‘Brave New World’: Could a Dystopian Society Become Reality?
This blog post explores the dangers of a dystopian society where technological advancement threatens humanity and freedom, using Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ as a lens, and discusses its potential in modern society. Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ is a novel depicting a future dystopia born from scientific progress and mass production. It portrays the tragedy of humanity...
Why is The Old Man and the Sea called a story of solitary human triumph that calls forth hope?
The Old Man and the Sea depicts the indomitable will of humanity through the old man’s solitary struggle. The unyielding hope and spirit of challenge even in the face of failure show life’s true victory. Humanism of Self-Overcoming The Old Man and the Sea weaves its narrative through the story of a man overcoming adversity through endurance. Old Man Santiago, alone at sea...
How old is the boy Manolin in ‘The Old Man and the Sea’?
Is the ‘boy’ Manolin in Hemingway’s ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ really just a young boy? This article traces his actual age based on the original text. On the Age of the ‘Boy’ in the Work The Old Man and the Sea is considered one of Hemingway’s finest works. In contrast, its narrative structure is simple. It tells the story of an old fisherman who catches a giant fish in the Gulf...
The Old Man and the Sea: A Record of Struggle
A fierce battle between an old fisherman and a giant fish on the rough sea. The Old Man and the Sea is a record of struggle depicting human will, solitude, and the nobility of life. The Old Man and the Sea is the last work published during the lifetime of American novelist Ernest Hemingway and remains his most beloved masterpiece, cherished by readers worldwide. Especially since its...
‘Le Papillon des étoiles’: How Does Technology Evolve in a Closed Environment?
This blog post explores the impact of a closed environment on technology and society through ‘Le Papillon des étoiles’, examining the dangers of isolation from the outside world and the resulting limitations on progress. ‘Le Papillon des étoiles’ is the title of a novel by Bernard Werber. It is also the name of a spaceship carrying individuals with diverse talents, selected for their...
Could ‘bipedalism’ be the decisive factor in human evolution?
This blog post takes an in-depth look at whether the factor that made humans special was truly communication and cooperation, or whether it was bipedalism. In his book ‘Homo Deus’, Yuval Noah Harari argues that the human trait enabling our domination of Earth is our capacity for communication and cooperation. Harari bases his claim that this ability fundamentally distinguishes humans from...