“The Jay” by Yasunari Kawabata, Essay Example

“The Jay” by Yasunari Kawabata is the story of Yoshiko and the conflict that she is undergoing as she prepares to be married. In the short story, Kawabata explores traditions of marriage and how they are considered to be necessary and natural. Through the bird, the blind grandmother is able to see that even in nature, parents want to protect their children and provide for them as best they can. Although Yoshiko does not see it, she is like the lost baby jay waiting for her father to come home and help to provide for her future well-being.

One of the concepts that are introduced in the short story is that of an arranged marriage. In the story, her betrothal and marriage is not meant to satisfy Yoshiko’s needs, but rather is meant to provide for the entire family. It can also be argued that Yoshiko and her brother’s abandonment by their birth mother was also meant to protect them and that she left them behind in order for them to have a better life.

Another concept that is explored in the story is the parallel between Yoshiko, her brother, and their birth mother to the mother jaybird and the baby jaybird. Their mother abandoned Yoshiko and her brother, although it can be argued that it was not entirely Yoshiko’s mother’s fault that she was not there for her children. While Yoshiko’s brother has sought out their mother and wants to meet her, Yoshiko is unsure that his intentions will end well. The grandmother understands that like the mother jaybird, Yoshiko’s mother would return to look for her children and although the reunion would not be immediate, it would eventually happen.

The story helps the reader understand how nature parallels human interactions and relationships. If people take the time to observe, however they can, their environment, it will give them a better understanding of why people behave the way they do. Furthermore, the story shows that elders must be respected because they know much more about the world than they let on and will hopefully be able to pass on their wisdom to younger generations.