HOTOTOGISU

Hototogisu (The Cuckoo, 1898), a novel written by Tokutomi Roka, received wide acclaim when first published. The romantic story captures the deep affection between valiant young naval officer Takeo and his beautiful and refined wife Namiko. Namiko’s jealous stepmother and Takeo’s overprotective mother are constant threats to the couple’s traditional marriage. Namiko becomes a victim of the unrealistically high expectations and frustrations of her Western-educated stepmother. After Namiko contracts tuberculosis, Takeo’s mother suggests that he divorce his wife before her illness sweeps through the family. Takeo’s indisputable love for Namiko dramatizes the conflict of love over family and social pressures.

See also WOMEN IN LITERATURE.