Quote and Question
In “The Nose,” by Akutagawa, Zenchi Naigu suffers from an abnormally long nose controlling his determination of self-value and the communitys views. The passage from Akutagawa that best captures his anguish is, “And what he feared, most of all, was that the word ‘nose’ would come up in conversation” (50). “Like a sausage dangling down from the middle of his face” (50); this nose represents the deep-seated fears we all carry that can overwhelm our achievements and sense of worth. How much do human behaviors and perceptions of self-esteem stem from the apparent defects that society magnifies?
Story Summary
“The Nose” by Ryunosuke Akutagawa paints a striking picture of Zenchi Naigu, a priest respected for his standing but overshadowed by an exceptionally long nose that controls his sense of self and social relationships. This prominent characteristic, evocatively described as resembling a “sausage dangling down,” becomes more than just a physical oddity; it symbolizes ingrained fears made worse by social criticism.
Even with all of his accomplishments and the respect of being a clerical official, Zenchi’s nose is a continuous reminder of how different he is from society. The material difficulties it presents—like the touching and humorous scene in which a disciple props up his nose with a wooden slat while eating—are not only annoying quirks. They also serve as a symbolic depiction of the difficulties associated with breaking social norms.
Zenchi takes a variety of actions as a result of his internal conflict with his self-image. He adopts habits such as paying great attention to monks and guests during temple functions to find someone who shares his pronounced nose and finds comfort in their suffering. In an attempt to find solace, his search also takes him to peruse holy books and historical literature, looking for any figure with a nose like his own.
The story takes an especially moving turn when Zenchi, desperate to change the appearance of his nose, turns to an agonizing procedure. He has his nose boiled and then trampled upon as part of a procedure that is a striking example of the extremes people would go to fit society’s expectations. The story by Akutagawa delves deeply into the depths of human insecurity, societal pressures, and self-acceptance. The narrative highlights the inner agony of feeling “othered” and the innate human need for acceptance and normalcy via Zenchi’s experiences.
After the novel, Naigu’s aspirations for a more accepted appearance have unanticipated consequences. Despite his nose changing, his peers continue to make fun of him, highlighting how erratic and frequently severe society’s judgment can be. Relationship tensions arise from his collapsing attitude, particularly when a pupil chastises Naigu for not paying enough attention to the Buddha’s teachings. But when Naigu awakens to see that his nose has returned to its former state, Akutagawa completes the circle in the story. The story’s central themes—that inner acceptance is more important than outward appearances and that seeking affirmation from others is pointless—are highlighted by this plot twist.
Work Cited
Akutagawa, Ryunosuke. Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories. Translated by Jay Rubin, Penguin Classics, 2009.