The Comparison of Redundant Human Figures in Chinese and Japanese Literary Works: A Case Study of “The Sinking” and “The Quilt”

Abstract

The novel “Quilt” by Tayama Katai is the founding work of Japanese private novels, and the main character Tokio has a full and three-dimensional image, and Tokio’s inner struggle reflects the spiritual dilemma of a generation of Japanese intellectuals. Under the influence of the trend of Japanese private novels, Yu Dafu wrote a shocking work in the literary world of the May 4th—The Sinking, the image of “He” in the novel and Tokio in The Quilt have both similarities and subtle differences. This paper will focus on the comparison of the two images to further explore the deeper meaning behind the similarities and differences.