# Short Fiction explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Akutagawa Ryūnosuke.

## What happens

This chapter presents a collection of Akutagawa Ryūnosuke's short stories, exploring themes of moral ambiguity, self-identity, and the clash between illusion and reality. The stories range from historical tales like 'Rashōmon' and 'The Nose' to modern narratives such as 'The Handkerchief' and 'The Wine Worm,' each delving into the complexities of human nature and societal hypocrisy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Moral Ambiguity

The lackey in 'Rashōmon' justifies theft by witnessing the old hag's own immoral acts, blurring the line between right and wrong.

### Illusion vs. Reality

In 'The Nose,' Zenchi Naigu's obsession with his nose leads to a temporary change, but the reality of his identity remains unchanged, highlighting the futility of external fixes.

## Character check-ins

### Akutagawa Ryūnosuke

Author of the short stories in this chapter, known for his psychological insight and dark humor.

### Rashōmon

The setting of the first story, a dilapidated gate where a lackey confronts moral decay.

### Zenchi Naigu

A Buddhist priest whose long nose causes him daily troubles, leading to a futile attempt to shorten it.

### Prof. Hasegawa

A professor in 'The Handkerchief' who observes a mother's stoic reaction to her son's death.

### Mori Gonnoshin

A samurai in 'The Lice' who advocates raising lice for warmth, sparking a violent dispute.

## Key lines

> The lackey waited under Rashōmon for the rain to stop.

A servant sat beneath the Rashōmon gate, hoping the downpour would end.

_Opening of 'Rashōmon,' setting the scene of waiting and uncertainty._

> The old hag was pulling out hair from a corpse.

An elderly woman was extracting hair from a dead body.

_The lackey discovers the hag's gruesome act, leading to his moral crisis._

> The nose was shortened, but the priest was not happy.

After the nose was reduced, the priest still found no contentment.

_In 'The Nose,' the physical change fails to bring the expected relief._

> The mother smiled while telling of her son's death.

The mother recounted her son's demise with a smile on her face.

_In 'The Handkerchief,' the mother's smile contrasts with the tragic news, puzzling the professor._

> Mori advocated raising lice for warmth.

Mori suggested breeding lice to keep warm.

_In 'The Lice,' Mori's bizarre proposal leads to a near-violent argument._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters/short-fiction
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_59_se/chapters