In a Grove by Ryunosuke Akutagawa - Short Story Summary, Analysis, Review 藪の中

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Ryunosuke Akutagawa Playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoTanWBposZrgs0 Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/thecodexcantina BOOKMARKS: Publication Info: @0:33 Plot Summary: @2:08 Analysis: @4:06

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks for watching!

[@Yesica1993]

It was an interesting read, but so confusing. And the style is the kind of story that ties me up in knots. Some people enjoy the mystery of it all. But I'm the type of reader/person that NEEDS to know what actually happened. This also touches upon the idea that this sort of thing happens in real life as well - that nothing is really true, it's all people's perceptions. That's not reality. We may not have all the facts of a particular situation. But something did happen, and other things did not happen. Otherwise, it would be impossible to get anything done in life at all, or to even communicate.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Yeah. I have to be honest, I spent at least a few hours trying to prove who did it thinking I'd crack the code :D

[@Yesica1993]

@@TheCodeXCantina If you guys couldn't do it, I have no hope!

[@lostinabookcase3796]

alright, since this is the only thing on my mind..... Who here has watched Bungou Stray Dogs and understands why I'm so happy with this vid?? :D

[@TheCodeXCantina]

I am not familiar. I’ll have to look it up

[@lostinabookcase3796]

@@TheCodeXCantina there's an anime called Bungou Stray Dogs and every character is named after an author and has some special ability related to their books. And my favorite character is Akutagawa XD

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

Well said about reading outside of culture/comfort zones, Krypto! This was a fantastic analysis. I might need to watch Rashomon again tonight. Toshiro Mifune as the bandit feels inextricable from reading this story, but the widow’s characterization in the story is so effective on its own. Modernism is one of my favorite movements, and this story seizes those sensibilities and in just a few pages tears at the foundation to build something new and strange but so true to life. Thanks again, loved this! Best, Jack

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Poignant comment as always, Jack!

[@josefamadragil7997]

I agree with you

[@kaimm1080]

Something happened with only the people involved having the truth. They recall the tale to their whims and we, the readers, have no way of knowing an outer perspective - we must decide what we believe it's truth and what is a lie.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

👍

[@serunar1555]

I have a seminar based on this and THANKYOU. This video really helped me understand the story. I was previously having trouble understanding this story, but now I understand it much more. Thank you so much! I have one question though, how does the story reveal the author's perspective about Japanese philosophy and other Social issues in his writing.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Nico Robin! Excellent. There’s lots of commentary here on Akuragawa’s pessimism of humanity. His view of humans taking an immoral stance when it benefited them shines in many of his stories. Japan is also listener-responsible language and with the unique narration being a story based on people telling us a conflicting story there is arguably a paper in there on that. Cheers Nakama!

[@serunar1555]

@@TheCodeXCantina DAMN, the fact that you knew who the anime character in my profile pic was impressed me. But thank you for this response. It really does help me understand In A Grove even better.

[@EmergeLethal]

great content keep it up guys!!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thank you! Will do!

[@atsukorichards1675]

The husband's name is "Takehiro/武弘."

[@jurocruz6429]

In each of the testimonies of the samurai, the wife, and the rubber they all claimed they have committed the murder why do you think it was slanted that way?

[@ellatan1097]

Perspective I guess

[@QuestLegacy]

What's so funny about being 5'8"? :p This set up sounds awesome. I say this about your guys' selections all the time, but once again, awesome job and you really make things I never would have thought to look up normally sound fascinating!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Thanks! Sometimes it's good to try different things.

[@raphaelsimbulan57]

Hi just wanna ask, why do you think it was slanted the way they all claimed that they have committed the murder in each of the testimonies of the husband, wife and thief?

[@josefamadragil7997]

Good question

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Ooof, someone else asked this the other day and I answered but it looks like they've since deleted their comment. That's frustrating :D The quick version is Akutagawa had a view that much of humanity was self-interested. This story highlights how people will alter their subjective truth (sub or consciously) to fit their needs. It also highlights how even people not involved will have faulty memories. I've seen psych professors have a student actor come in, cause a ruckus like start a fight with the professor, and then leave. He then has all the students in the class fill out a fake report of what color the person's hair was, what color was his shirt, etc. When people turn in their reports, it often turns out not everyone agrees and shows how malleable our memories can be. That's one interpretation that people take with the story.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Seems popular last few days :D

[@raphaelsimbulan57]

@@TheCodeXCantina Whoa very informative thank you for giving me an idea! Stay safe!

[@mrlx9052]

Aside from death and murder, what other conflict must be highlighted in the story?

[@iancena2200]

If only there's a way of knowing where the murder weapon is. I think it'd be easier to tell who really killed Takejiro.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

If only...

[@cyrilmaegenovate486]

how did he/she killed takehiko?

[@CaseyLouiseDelaCruz]

Who killed takehiko?

[@TheNerdyNarrative]

I know a couple IRL "one-uppers" I'm so confused. It seems that each viewpoint contradicts the others. I definitely think Masago's account is completely discredited...I mean, you should take the leaves from your husband's mouth so he can properly respond to whether or not to die. Sounds to me that she wanted him to die.

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Very true. That's one of the few things all three agreed upon is that Masago wanted Takehiro to die :D

[@TheNerdyNarrative]

@@TheCodeXCantina yeah, just took the long way around the bush to say it. LOL Too bad they didn't all swap their version of the story at the campfire and then take her little shady tail out.

[@TheNerdyNarrative]

So my pup woke me up at 4 am to go outside and as I was trying to go back to sleep, I started thinking about this story again. I got to thinking while they all agreed that Masago wanted her husband dead - that's the core truth. But as so often happens when you have several witnesses to a crime, everyone has a different story as to how it happened. The one who said she wanted to marry him, but he had to kill her husband...I'm most likely to believe this is the closest one to the truth. I bet Masago used him (Takieru? Pretty sure it started with a T and ended with a U) so in actuality, we have two victims. I don't know dangit but I keep thinking myself in circles.

[@Yesica1993]

@@TheNerdyNarrative That's why I can't handle stories like this. Too much mental & emotional energy trying to get to the bottom of it, but there's just not enough information to ever come to a full conclusion. ARGH!

[@user-no5fv7xy4e]

Who do you all think the killer is??

[@TheCodeXCantina]

I went through a phase where I tried to look at each character and tried to figure out how they could possibly be guilty for sure and ultimately failed and gave up with all the conflicting information.

[@josefamadragil7997]

same Q bro

[@a9jrockakirst]

Anyone searched this after the Ted Ed vid?

[@Starscreamlive]

I know I'm making light of the importance of this story, but this was the Japanese version of Murders in the Rue Morgue. The only thing missing was C Auguste Dupin to tell us that the orangutan was the murderer.🔍 I liked the fact that none of the characters' testimonies were ruled out or ridiculed. Different religions/philosphies/ideologies all claim to have the answers, yet they all contradict each other in some fashion or another. Perhaps they are all right, or perhaps they are all wrong, but in the end each individual must weigh all the evidence and pick the one we think is the most plausible. Or we can choose to reject them all... This story is so simple yet so deep and thought-provoking. 5 out of 5 stars in my book!

[@TheCodeXCantina]

I always feel like I should add more Poe to our schedule but I can't explain why I never do...

[@Starscreamlive]

@@TheCodeXCantina I am a fan of Poe, but to be honest, he's highly overrated.

[@josefamadragil7997]

yes

[@netsurfer8923]

The killer is the policeman hahaha

[@TheCodeXCantina]

Winner, winner

[@nyakieeueu]

how?

[@josefamadragil7997]

CN0 PROF NIYO??? HHHHHH

[@TheCodeXCantina]

hi

[@jjescorpiso21]

It’s been a year but for what it’s worth: the comment says, “Who’s your prof?”