I am a cat

Author: Natsume Sōseki
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-09-01
Features: The creative practice of I Am a Cat is indeed linked to the writer's spiritual system's madness. What is particularly noteworthy is that the writer uses the perspective of a cat to view life and society, filled with bizarre imagination. But it is not the ramblings of a madman; rather, it is an expression of indignation under the weight of the spirit, a realm far superior to the philosophies of worldly sages. Sōseki clearly recognized the insurmountable contradictions of capitalism, and the contradictions in Japan especially made him disgusted and pessimistic. I Am a Cat targets the contradictions of the "gold power society" after the Meiji Restoration and the incompleteness of the reform, such as "gain and loss," "right and wrong," "good and evil," "anxiety," and "emptiness." The writer is a profound expositor and critic of Meiji-era spiritual civilization, employing the satire and judgment of "depiction." His sharpness and depth quickly drew the admiration and interest of the world. In I Am a Cat, the "madness" of Suzuki Tōjirō, the "death" of Dr. Amamiya, and the "faith" of Yakumo Dokusen all embody the concept of "removing private desires." Although Sōseki also satirizes Dokusen's Eastern "natural law" cultivation, he ultimately finds solace only in spiritual belief. I Am a Cat was set in the era after the Meiji Restoration. On one hand, capitalist thought emerged, people learned from the West, sought individuality, called for freedom, and the consciousness of the market and self-awareness formed a strong trend. On the other hand, the inherent values, cultural perspectives, and customs of the East, encompassing both the outdated and the excellent, sank in protest and struggled in the sinking. The protagonist is a cat. Viewing the world through a cat's eyes was a certain breakthrough in creative technique at the time. Today, works often use the perspective of extraterrestrials to observe humans, similarly reflecting the habits of the human world. Without a transcendent view of reality, it is difficult to see through the truth. The novel also broke through in structure. It revolves around the cat's perspective, with chapters that can be long or short, shifting east and west, without a clear beginning or end, nor a logical progression of plot. Yet, it remains utterly engaging to read. Japanese fiction had a tendency toward being literary, and some of its literary works were lacking in substance. However, in I Am a Cat, at the time, it was a charming innovation. Of course, to be honest, the author did not initially intend to write such a long work. Due to the popularity of the first chapter, the editor asked him to continue, and only then did he expand it into a serial. This shows that he did not have a complete outline from the beginning, but it also demonstrates that only a masterful hand could write so effortlessly and spontaneously. In terms of language, the style of I Am a Cat is neither as unrestrained and ethereal as Traveling Inn, nor as concise and profound as Light and Darkness, nor as smooth and delicate as The Heart or From Then On. Here, it combines both strength and gentleness, elegance and vulgarity, with ever-changing and vibrant expressions. Moreover, it fuses the humor and wit of Edo literature, the classical and resolute of Chinese studies, and the exuberance and ingenuity of Western literature, allowing the author to roam freely in the ocean of language, transcending and transforming. The writing shifts between brilliance and profundity, sharp and incisive, rich in philosophy; and between winding and vast, deep in reflection. Let us briefly quote two brilliant lines of scenery and character description. For example, describing the mediocre face of Kikukatsu Hamaji: "If the spring breeze always blows on such a smooth face, I wonder if the breeze is too idle!" Describing the scenery: "The red pine forest, adorned with a few bright red maple leaves, has already withered, like a dream that has passed away." Describing the sound: "This sound mercilessly shook the tranquil air of early spring, completely vulgarizing a peaceful and quiet era of soft winds and still trees." Some lines resemble satirical poetry, while others are like freehand paintings, each exquisite in its own way. In short, if one approaches his work with an artistic heart, they will naturally appreciate the color, rhythm, and even the vitality of every word.