Hopefully, by now, all of us who set out to read this book have finished, for there are so many intriguing things to discuss. I am setting forth some questions that occurred to me as I read, to which I do not readily have a clear answer. I would relish an opinion from you should you care to respond to any, or all, of them listed below. Let us begin…
…(the family’s) habit of leaving everything to others led to a reputation of haughtiness. (p. 404)
Do you think the Makioka family is haughty? Or, is their concern for their sister’s future simply careful?
Do you think the sisters support, or hinder, one another?
What could the dark spot above Yukiko’s eye, which sometimes is evident and other times not, represent?
Is Yukiko’s reluctance to give direct answers to the marriage arrangements which have been made for her merely shyness? Or, is there another reason she is so reluctant to enter marriage?
To which of the sisters do you most closely identify?
I do not wish to leave my answers here. Instead, I would far rather read your opinions and respond to them in the comments section below. And, may I thank you each one, for the opportunity of reading this classic piece of literature together. I relished each page and comment.
Dolce Bellezza 