“The true novelty of literature is that it also transforms the reader, making them new.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「文学の真の新らしさは読者自身をも新らしくするものではあるまいか。」
English
“The true novelty of literature is that it also transforms the reader, making them new.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima suggests that the true essence of literary novelty lies not just in the freshness of its ideas, themes, or forms, but in its power to transform the reader themselves. Literature, in this sense, is not a passive experience, but one that actively shapes and reshapes the individual. Mishima emphasizes that a truly innovative work of literature does not simply introduce new concepts or styles, but awakens something new in the reader, challenging their perceptions, ideas, and understandings of the world. It suggests that literature has the capacity to alter the reader’s internal world, encouraging a personal transformation that extends beyond just an intellectual encounter.
Mishima’s reflection underscores his belief in the power of literature to engage deeply with the reader’s psyche, not only by providing new insights but by forcing the reader to rethink themselves and their place in the world. By transforming the reader’s perspective, literature does more than simply entertain or inform; it serves as a catalyst for personal growth and self-reflection. This transformative power of literature is what makes it immensely impactful and lasting. In Mishima’s view, a work of literature that changes the reader is the true form of novelty, as it achieves not just an external innovation in content or style, but an internal revolution within the individual.
In a modern context, Mishima’s idea of literary transformation speaks to how contemporary literature, poetry, and fiction often strive to do more than just provide entertainment. They challenge the status quo, provoke introspection, and even alter the mindset of the reader. With the rise of diverse literary voices and experimental forms, literature today has the potential to reshape the way readers perceive themselves and their world. Mishima’s words remind us that the impact of literature is not just in the story told but in the way it changes the person who engages with it, making it not just a form of art but also a path for personal transformation.
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