An In-depth Explanation of 'The Marionette in Memory' for the Curious
At first glance, this work appears to be
a story about Saku-chan just going to a used bookstore.
However, in reality, it is
a story about
a person whose mind is on the verge of breaking, barely held together by their past and memories of their father.
.
The author does not write about dramatic incidents.
Instead, they hide Saku-chan's mental state within everyday actions such as
pulling at hair
watching birds
cleaning
going to a used bookstore
.
1. 'Characters' rather than 'words'
This is the most important point at the beginning.
It is 'characters,' not 'words.'
Normally, people can put their thoughts into words.
For example,
sad
Angry
Lonely
and so on.
But Saku-chan is different.
There is something in her head.
But it doesn't become meaningful words.
It has become scattered characters.
In other words,
a state where she cannot organize her emotions
is what it is.
This can be read as an expression of intense stress or mental fatigue.
2. The wagtail is Saku-chan herself
Wagtails appear many times in this work.
At first,
a white wagtail that flew out
appears.
After that,
ran out like a crazed wagtail
is also written.
In short, the wagtail is not just a bird.
It is Saku-chan's alter ego.
The wagtail is
restless,
fidgety,
and runs here and there
bird.
Saku-chan is the same right now.
Her mind is unsettled,
and she moves as if being chased by something.
That is why the author uses the wagtail like a mirror.
3. 'Body first, brain later'
This is the scariest part of this story.
The body wanted to move regardless of the brain's instructions,
and the brain eventually became obedient to the body.
Usually, it is
Brain ↓ Body
in that order.
However, for Saku-chan, it is reversed.
It has become
Body ↓ Brain.
In other words,
it is a state of
going somewhere you don't want to go,
or being unable to stop something you want to quit.
This is similar to addiction or impulses.
The
Marionette
in the title comes from this.
Even though there is no one pulling the strings,
the body moves on its own.
Saku-chan is no longer the master of herself.
4. Iyo-san is the gravity of the real world
Iyo-san is extremely important in this work.
She makes her do things like
cleaning,
laundry,
and clearing away dead grass.
At first glance, she seems like a troublesome old woman.
However, that is not the case.
She is the anchor.
Iyo-san is
the presence that anchors Saku-chan to reality
is.
If Iyo-san were not there,
Saku-chan would likely rush out into the city on impulse.
That is why Iyo-san
rather than a mother
fulfills the role of
"reality itself."
5. The secondhand bookstore is a repository of memories
The appearance of the secondhand bookstore is not a coincidence either.
Books are things that preserve the past.
The secondhand bookstore is
a place where someone's memories are piled up.
By Saku-chan going there,
her own memories that were about to be lost are also awakened.
That is why in this work,
the secondhand bookstore functions as
a warehouse of memories.
6. The meaning behind the father's story beginning
The father talks about his father, Takeru.
What is important here is
not the father's great achievements.
The topics discussed are
messy hair
carrying a child on his back
looking sleepy
and other very small things.
Why is that?
When people remember someone who has passed away,
they actually remember casual habits and gestures,
rather than grand events.
The author knows this well.
7. The meaning of 'Why don't you forgive him?'
This is the biggest mystery in the work.
Why don't you forgive him already?
What is the father telling them to forgive?
It is not explained in the work.
Therefore, the reader needs to think about it.
What can be considered is
Cannot forgive their father
Cannot accept their father's death
Cannot forgive themselves
This is what it means.
The last possibility is especially likely.
Saku-chan has been suffering for a long time.
So, in fact,
rather than the father,
they may not be able to forgive 'the current self'
perhaps.
8. The true meaning of the final scene
The end is very quiet.
Yawning, while running their hand through their hair.
That is all.
But in fact, it serves as a contrast to the beginning.
At the beginning,
they were tearing at their hair.
At the end,
they are just running their hand through their hair.
In other words,
The action of destruction
changed to
the action of memory.
It changed to.
By remembering her father, she felt a little more at ease.
She felt a little more at ease.
Therefore, this ending
is not a hopeless conclusion,
but can be read as the beginning of a small recovery.
can be read as.
The core of this work
This story is about
how people lose sight of who they are when they are in pain.
is a story about that.
However,
people you have known for a long time,
places that bring back memories,
and memories of family
help you find yourself again.
Saku-chan did not buy a book at the used bookstore.
What was truly obtained was
the 'former self' that remained within the father's memories
.
Therefore, 'The Marionette in Memory' is
'a story about Saku-chan, who nearly lost herself like a marionette, trying to grasp her own strings once again through memory'
.