October 4 Reading Reflection - Kaito

The ties between all these readings were very interesting, and at times difficult to read. All of what we discuss ties into huge, looming societal themes. Realizing Fun Things Through Water and Tomo-chan's Happiness have some similarities in the protagonists- both women seemed to take things in stride, having particular motivations and desires, reacting in small and subtle ways. Their thoughts on relationships and waiting for a relationship to sort of happen to them, I'm not sure what it says. With Tomo-chan's Happiness, I was surprised by the ending and the breaking of the fourth wall with the novelist, I don't really know how that relates. It felt like it was touching on loneliness, how connection can shape a person, how people need people in different ways. Sea Horse was disturbing, and also confusing... I was left with so many questions about who the narrator was and what the arc of her life meant. It obviously talked about possession over women's bodies, the abuse that men inflict within a marriage or relationship, but I wonder how that carries to the magical realism of who she was. Being drawn to a man because of his scent, then being kept away from her home. Why and how did the men know to "never let her near the ocean"? Her fourth child returning to sea... I also thought the title was interesting. I first thought it was "seahorse", not "sea horse". I knew that with seahorses, males are the ones who get pregnant and give birth. The female's primary goal is to mate and deposit eggs before providing for the male and babies. So I thought maybe it related to that role reversal. Maybe it does, but when I realized it was "sea horse", I was confused again by what it meant. I really liked Convenience Store Woman. I was also in Professor Frederick's class last semester and we read it for that class, but I realized I actually didn't get far. I think I was out of class for that entire week. Anyway, I read the whole book this week. I'm still thinking through all my thoughts on it, but upon first reflection I find it to be a very eye-opening book for it's views on societal pressures. I found it empowering that Keiko was able to stand her ground and be unashamed of the fact that being a convenience store worker is how she can live her best life. I found it interesting that Murata's messaging seems to be to live truly as yourself regardless of society, to act in accordance with who you are without outside pressure. it is maybe purposefully ironic that Keiko does so by feeding into society's workings. Convenience stores are a true facet of society, and by extension so is she. I guess Keiko is a combined opposition of those two thoughts is intentional. I'm a little stuck with Picnic. I can't seem to make sense of it in a way that really connects. Dissecting Misogyny was very entertaining. Humorous and to the point. So much commentary in such a short read. I really enjoyed this week's reading overall, and am looking forward to talking about them in class!