Le traumatisme, la culture, et l'identite chez Aki Shimazaki : le poids des secrets et les defauts de la societe japonaise

Abstract

This thesis highlights the major critiques made by Japanese author Aki Shimazaki in her series of five novels entitled Le poids des secrets. Shimazaki chose to write the book series in French, and heavily critiques several very important aspects of the Japanese mindset and culture. In using French, this thesis argues that Shimazaki was able to escape the confines of her own culture and language and prove that Japan needs to learn from its past in order to avoid repeating the same mistakes. The books deal with some of the most traumatic events in Japanese history, from the Great Kanto Earthquake to the Atomic Bombs. The characters in these novels are forced to deal with their situations in a manner that is defined by their culture, which proves problematic in several ways that are outlined in this thesis. The first chapter covers the historical background of the events dealt with in the novels in order to create a better understanding of the traumatisms the characters deal with. The second chapter deals with the specific elements of Japanese culture that are relevant to how the characters act and think. Finally, the third chapter covers aspects of Japanese identity and how collectivism is so important to understanding why the Japanese government and people behave and think the way they do.