Critical Review “A Grave Problem”

Critical Review

“A Grave Problem”

(By: Suprayoga)

A. Written by                          : Teruko Hyuga

B. Theme                                 : Life in modern era

C. Characters

1. Major Characters            : Mrs. Hata is a housewife.

2. Supporting Characters    : Preist,

                                             Mr. Akagi is a kimono shop owner.

                                             Masako is Mrs. Hata’s husband’s sister

                                             Haruo is Mrs. Hata’s son

                                             Mr. Noma is a Repair Auto Shop owner.

D. Setting                                :

1. Setting of Place              : Temple graveyard,

                                              Mr. Akagi’s kimono shop,

                                             Mrs. Hata’s home,

                                             Noma Repair Auto Shop

E. Point of View                     : First Person Point of View

F. Symbol                               :

1. Grave symbolizes “seriousness”, frightening.

2. Temple symbolizes religion

3. Kimono symbolizes Japanese culture

4. ¥ symbolizes money of Japan

5. Car symbolizes modern life

G. Tone                                  : Touching

H. Message                             : We should learn from our lives.

   Saving makes easy life.

I. Plot 

This short story tells Mrs. Hata’s problems and their solution. She had to bury her husband. The priest asked for the money for it. But she got no money. In such difficult time, she had to get money by selling her kimonos. She succeeded. Any how her son got another problem. He got a car accident. He had to have a gate and his front part of his car repaired. Mrs. Hata had to pay for it with the insurance money. This short story tells us to be patient and never to surrender. It is worth to read.

Complication:

Mrs. Hata  was supposed to bury her husband’s bone. The priest refused her to bury his husband in the temple yard where her parents in law and grandparents in law were buried, unless she paid for it. But Mrs. Hata did not have as much money the priest asked for. Keizo, Mrs. Hata’s husband, had saved money for her and Haruo, her son, before hedied. But she could not touch it for burial.

Resolution:

Mrs. Hata and her husband’s sister, Masako, visited Mr. Akagi to sell her kimonos. Mr. Akagi gave her kimonos low price. Mrs. Hata borrowed money from Mr. Akagi and she would returned it after she got money. Mrs. Hata and Masako went to Haruo’s friend’s shop to sell her kimonos. Mrs. Hata got enough money. She returned Mr. akagi’s money and pay the money asked by the priest.

Complication:

Haruo got an order to repair someone’s TV set. He, accompanied by his mother, went to the man’s house. He drove carefully. Getting the man’s house, he repaired the broken TV. Finished repairing the TV, Haruo and his mother drove back home. On the way, another car skidded his car. His car hit a gate.

Resolution

Haruo had to have the gate and his front part of his car repaired. He had to pay for the repairing with insurance money. He had Mr. Noma, his father’s friend, repair his car.