SILK DISCUSSION/ REVIEW
Prepared by: Levy P. Coronel
WHY IS IT
ENTITLED SILK?
The story took place in Japan in
the 19 century, wherein the
th
protagonist, a merchant-
turned-smuggler, travels to
Japan to acquire silkworms from
the baron to get his business
moving.
PLOT ?
The story is about a French merchant named
Herve Joncour, a baron named Hara Kei, and
a girl that was laying on the lap of baron.
While talking about business, the girl and
the merchant can’t stop looking and
glancing at each other. After one last sip of
tea, the merchant went back and kept on
thinking about the girl in a loose robe.
SETTING ?
Japan, 19 century
th
Who are the
characters in the
story?
HERVE JONCOUR – A French merchant who went to
Japan to smuggle silkworm eggs.
HARA KEI – A Baron that Herve Joncour wanted to talk
to with about silkworms.
THE GIRL – the Baron’s mistress or concubine who is
wearing a beautiful loose red robe.
SYMBOLISMS
Cup – according to Japanese culture, the symbolism of a
cup is prosperity. Also it symbolises having a new love
interest.
SILK
A women dreaming – is happy with her family and
lovelife.
A man dreaming – will be highly successful in business.
What does the
protagonist feel? Why
does he feel this way?
What specific parts in
the text tell you this?
Herve Joncour, the protagonist, fell in love with a girl
who is wearing a loose red robe, because the part, “He
kept his eyes fixed on those of Hara Kei and only for an
instant, at most without realizing it, lowered them to
the face of the woman” after this happened the
protagonist cannot stop glancing onto woman.
What does the girl
feel? Why do you
think so? Why did
she do what she did?
The girl also fell in
love with Herve
Joncour, as she kept
looking on his eyes.
How did you feel when you
were reading the text? Do
you think what they were
experiencing was love or
lust? How can you tell?
I was confused as this story
shows either love or lust, it is
because Herve Joncour and
the girl show an indirect kiss
by sipping in the cup of tea.
There seems to be a whole
different conversation going
on between herve and then girl
and yet not a word is spoken.
How are they able to
communicate with each other?
They communicated with
each other with the use of
gestures, such as eye
contact, head movement
and cup sipping.
Why doesn’t Hara Kei
know what is going
on?
It is because business is very
serious, in a way that Hara Kei
focuses on what Herve joncour
says unto him; therefore, he was
not able to notice what the
protagonist and the girl are
doing.
What are the
complications involved,
and what obstacles can
you predict in the
relationship?
The only complication and
obstacle between their
relationships are that the
girl is already owned by
Hara Kei.
What does the cup
symbolize?
The cup symbolizes
desire or an indication
of new love interest.
What is the
significance of the
glances between
herve and the girl?
The significance of their
glance is that it gives
them a time to know each
other, and a hint about
their feelings.
Do you find the text
romantic? Why or
Why not?
The story is romantic because it
is full of glancing and tea
sipping. On the other hand, it
may not also be romantic,
because it does not show an
authentic love.
What does this reveal
about the possible
attractions of being
with someone from a
different place?
The world is huge; therefore,
we are able to discover and
meet new people which
can greatly contribute to
our interest.
