CLASSIC LITERATURES OF THE WORLD

MIDTERM SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

One characteristic of postmodernism is the retardation of the

narrative. How was this observed in Akutagawa’s In A Grove?

Explain explicitly.

SUBMITTED BY:

DELA CRUZ, ARABELLA

DELA CRUZ, KATRINA

DESCALSOTA, CHARMAINE LOUISE

CEE22
 "In a Grove" by Akutagawa is a famous piece of Japanese literature that embodies

numerous postmodernist features, including narrative retardation. Postmodernism arose in the

mid-twentieth century as a literary and creative movement that attempted to deconstruct

traditional narratives, challenge established standards, and examine the nature of truth and

reality. One of its distinguishing characteristics is the purposeful interruption or delay of linear

storytelling. In "In a Grove," Akutagawa expertly combines many perspectives and untrustworthy

narrators to give a broken, complex narrative of a single event—the murder and rape of a

samurai and his wife. The narrative is organized as a succession of testimonies delivered by

several persons who observed or were engaged in the occurrence. These testimonies are given

in a documentary format, with no authorial commentary, allowing readers to piece together their

own understanding of what happened. This narrative fragmentation reflects the postmodern

notion that truth is elusive and subjective, depending on one's point of view.

Each character's testimony in "In a Grove" gives a unique account of events, complete

with contradicting information and diverse points of view. Tajomaru, for example, says that he

murdered the samurai in a fair fight after defeating him in combat. However, the samurai's wife,

Masago, relates a different account, claiming that Tajomaru raped her and then murdered her

husband. These contradictory reports generate doubt and test the reader's ability to identify

what truly occurred. Akutagawa adds another degree of complexity by introducing a third-person

narrator who presents a summary of the many testimonials. This narrator does not take sides or

reach definite conclusions, but rather gives another point of view to the mix. This meta-narrative

approach emphasizes the subjective character of reality as well as the inherent unreliability of

any one story. The notion of the "unreliable narrator" is central to postmodern fiction, and it is

heavily portrayed in "In a Grove." Each character has their own goals, prejudices, and

justifications for presenting events in a certain way. Tajomaru, for example, may inflate his

abilities in order to preserve face, whereas Masago may minimize crucial elements in order to

protect her own reputation. This plethora of untrustworthy narrators adds to the story's
complexity and pushes readers to interact critically with the narrative. Furthermore, the

open-ended conclusion of "In a Grove" reflects the narrative retardation. The narrative does not

give a conclusive closure or tell the entire facts about what happened in the grove. Instead, it

leaves readers with ambiguity and confusion, asking them to wrestle with the complexity of

human perception and the elusive nature of reality.

In conclusion, Akutagawa's "In a Grove" demonstrates the narrative retardation that is

frequently associated with postmodernism. The novel questions conventional concepts of truth

and reality by its fragmented structure, various views, untrustworthy narrators, and open-ended

finale. Akutagawa urges readers to interact critically with the story and analyze the subjective

nature of reality by offering a varied version of a single incident. "In a Grove" exemplifies how

postmodern literature challenges traditional storytelling standards, opening the door for a more

nuanced and complicated interpretation of narrative.