Last love

Author: Akio Tsuboi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-01
Features: There is no such thing as a perfect world. The author, Fumio, is torn between his lover and his wife. He considers himself a spiritual person, yet he refuses to give up on worldly pleasures. Under immense survival pressure, the inner pain and conflict of rationality in Japanese men are laid bare. In physics, the definition of a stable triangle is shaken to its core in the realm of sociology, where the complex emotional relationships between a husband, wife, and lover are thrown into disarray. A relatively successful middle-aged man, a devoted wife who toils in silence, and a young, beautiful woman have almost become the fixed pattern of extramarital affairs. This pattern poses a strong challenge to social ethics and the theory of happy families. In extramarital affairs, the love between men and women is redefined. Mutual affection no longer aims to "live happily together in the future"; instead, they pursue only the process of being in love. Fumio is a man trapped in the dilemma of extramarital affairs. As a writer and journalist, he considers himself a spiritual person who pursues refinement. However, as a middle-aged man nearing the end of his life, he finds it hard to resist the temptations of worldly pleasures. Between family happiness and sensual indulgence, he is torn. Behind his indifferent wife lies strong social support, while the passionate and beautiful lover exudes an irresistible allure. The survival pressure placed on men in Japanese society is immense—no one is strong enough to endure it alone without seeking external help. Fumio's extramarital affair can be said to have naturally grown in such a social environment. But does having a lover release his inner loneliness and repression? Physical relief only deepens his spiritual anguish. Facing dual pressure from his family and lover, Fumio becomes disillusioned with his feelings. He does not take the extreme path of life-and-death, as did the protagonist of Lost Paradise (Jukigiri). Instead, he continues to choose, observe, and waver. His weakness and irresponsibility fully expose the inner pain and conflict of rationality in Japanese men.