“The Grasshopper and the Bell Cricket”

Yasunari Kawabata

1. What is the role of surprise in the story?

When Fujio's name appeared on Kiyoko's breast and Kiyoko's name appeared on Fujio's waist, there was
a moment of surprise in the narrative. The narrator realized that Fujio's actions were a ruse to capture
the attention of his crush through the grasshopper at this point. In the narrative, the narrator also seems
to pair them together and recognizes the purity of their feelings for one another.

2. Why is the story about-children? To what extent, if any, would adults serve just as well?

The story's message is conveyed through visual imagery that captures the purity of a child's heart and
mind. We can appreciate the beauty of innocence here, and it offers us a new perspective on things.
Fujio and Kiyoko's relationship showed us that love is inevitable when your intentions are pure and
innocent. In contrary, If the tale had happened to an adult, however, one of two things may have
happened. It may get more complicated since adults are more sensible and mindful of their own and
others' behaviors, which might lead to misinterpretation or go well and establish a sense of shared
sentiments. However, it contradicts the story's idea of innocence.

3. What does the children's attitude about their lanterns reveal about them?

In whatever scenario, the children's attitude demonstrates their originality and distinctiveness. The
children in the story abandoned the lantern shop and instead opted to make their own, with their
names plastered on each of their lanterns. Each child is excited as they build their lanterns, putting out
great effort to create the greatest lantern possible among the others. This also highlights each child's
uniqueness and provides us insight into their imaginations.

4. How does irony function in the story?

A dramatic irony is depicted in the narrative. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows
something that the characters don't. It explains how Fujio likes Kiyoko by attracting her attention with a
bell insect dubbed "grasshopper" in order to be seen by the girl he likes.

5. How does Kawabata's use of symbols relate to his theme?

The narrator highlights and develops the significance of the grasshopper and bell cricket as symbols.
Grasshoppers are ubiquitous insects; however, bell crickets are uncommon and considered remarkable
in Japanese culture. Kawabata's selection of these specific insects, as well as the narrator's explanation
of the story's juxtaposition of the two, aid the author in developing the theme that people frequently
expect one thing from life but receive another, generally connected to love. The narrator utilizes insects
as symbols for attempting to satisfy people but failing, like when the boy offers a grasshopper that turns
out to be a cricket. These narration choices indicate that Kawabata employs his narrator to highlight
solitude and a specific melancholy in relation to others.