Literature

“The Japanese Quince” by John Galsworthy Handout Atmosphere: The mood established in this story is very mundane and ordinary on the surface, as Mr. Nilson is rather unexcitingly described as going through his morning routine. There remains, however, an underlying sense of something very peculiar at hand. This is brought on by the strange sickness Mr. Nilson feels throughout the story, as well as the alarming similarity between Mr. Nilson and Mr. Tandram. Characterization: Mr. Nilson is the protagonist. We get to know him well through his actions, thoughts and words. He is a flat character, because he is shown to only accomplish basic, boring tasks with little depth to his character. Mr. Nilson is also static, because although at the end he goes through some self-realization, he takes no action to resolve the problem and change. Instead he opens his newspaper and goes back to his mundane routine. Conflict: Mr. Nilson vs. Himself Mr. Nilson struggles with coming to the realization that his life is boring and not unique, and this struggle is represented by his constant feeling of sickness, as well as his final recognition that Mr. Tandram is identical to him. Foreshadowing: The reader is given an initial sense of some hidden feeling of Mr. Nilson’s that turns out to be representative of the major theme. This foreshadowing occurs with the out of place “sweetish sensation in the back of his throat, and a feeling of emptiness just under his fifth rib.” Plot: Exposition – Mr. Nilson is introduced amidst his morning activities. The peculiar sweetish sensation and empty feeling are introduced. Complications – Mr. Tandram is introduced and we are immediately aware of the astonishing similarity between the two men. Mr. Nilson is troubled and leaves. Climax – Mr. Nilson sees Mr. Tandram looking out at the tree, and realizes that they are in fact the same, which upsets him greatly. Conclusion – The story ends with Mr. Nilson opening up his newspaper, and we are left with the assumption that his life will not change. Point of View: The story is told from a limited omniscient point of view. It is a third person perspective and we are only shown the thoughts and feelings of Mr. Nilson, not Mr. Tandram. Also, the author uses indirect presentation, because Mr. Nilson’s character is mostly revealed through his thoughts and actions, although he is described physically. Setting: The story takes place in London, on Campden Hill. It occurs in Mr. Nilson’s house and the gardens outside. The setting is relatively ordinary and in close to modern time. Tone: The author brings across a very literal and objective tone in the way he tells the story. It helps to establish the feel of Mr. Nilson’s ordinary and uninteresting daily life. Suspense: Tension grows throughout the story with the persistent mention of the strange feeling Mr. Nilson is having, and the reader is left anxiously desiring an explanation for the only unusual occurrence in an otherwise usual series of everyday events. Theme: The main message of “The Japanese Quince” is that the lives of people in our modern society are alike and unoriginal. Everyday tasks are menial and unfulfilling and people can not be satisfied accomplishing nothing unique, and nothing interesting. Imagery: Perhaps the strongest image in the story is that of the Japanese Quince, a lone tree in blossom in the midst of the mundane setting. It contrasts the dreary lives of the two men with the brilliance and beauty of nature. Irony: When Mr. Nilson is in the garden he thinks “and here I am the only person in the Square who has the- -to come out and- -!” before he realizes that Mr. Tandram is in fact quite near him. This is situational irony, and is also representative of the theme. Mr. Nilson thinks he is unique by being the only person in the gardens, but there is something there just like him. Parable: The parable in this story is that nature, and people, are meant to be lively and unique, just like the depiction of the Japanese Quince. Symbol: The Japanese Quince is a symbol representing life in nature, and how it is remarkable. It stands alone in blossom amidst the drab town, surrounded by the boring lives of people like Mr. Nilson. The feeling which Mr. Nilson experiences symbolizes his repressed feeling of unrest and dissatisfaction with his dreary life.