Abstract

   As a Japanese literary giant of Meiji era, Natsume Soseki has an important position in Japan and even the world literary history. With the opposing of the school of natural style, he used a vision of a "yoyuu" and his unique humor, following his own judgment and sharp looking to evaluate what happened around him. The book’s idea of "I am a cat" is inspired by Natsume Soseki's daily life with rich living vitality, emotional and inspiring. The book shows all aspects of life in Japanese‘s Meiji era.Described by writer’s profound literature attainment, it let us laugh at the plot. At the same time ,it made us think deeply about the society and the situation we confront now. The book gives a profound exposition of the status and problems of Japanese society at that time. As for this, the author will take the a book as a breakthrough point combined with the history of Japan and Japanese literary history to analyze the background of I am a Cat. The author bases the view on Ruth Benedict, Nitobe Inazou and China's previous research data to analysis the Japanese national character that is reflected in this novel and its influence toward the contemporary Japanese society. The writer hopes that from this thesis we can get further understanding to the national character of Japanese and Natsume Soseki,promoting mutual understanding between the two countries in the future.

Key words:  I am a Cat Japan,National character,Natsume Soseki 

Content

摘要：

Abstract:

Introduction-1

1 Background-2

1.1 Natsume Soseki-2

1.2 The Background of that time-3

1.3The Background of I am a Cat-4

2 View of Life and Death -5

2.1 The Desire for Death-5

2.2 Influence to Japan-6

2.2.1 Cherry Blossoms-6

2.2.2 Suicide -6

2.2.3 Shame Culture-9

3 View of Learning other Country-10

3.1 Well-known Saying in the Novel-10

3.2  Absorbing Well and Rigid stubborn-11

3.2.1 Past of the Japan-12

3.2.2 Stubborn Japanese-12

4 View of Hierarchy-14

4.1 The Confliction Between Capitalist and Intellectuals-14

4.2 Take Their Own Place-15

4.3 Modest and Arrogant-16

Conclusion-17

Bibliography-18

Acknowledgments-19