“It is strange for a novelist to wear the face of a representative of suffering.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「小説家が苦悩の代表者のような顔をするのは変だ」
English
“It is strange for a novelist to wear the face of a representative of suffering.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima critiques the common stereotype of the novelist as a figure of suffering or anguish. He finds it strange that writers, who often explore complex and painful aspects of the human condition in their work, should assume or be expected to exhibit the external appearance of suffering. Mishima suggests that this image—the “face of suffering”—is not necessarily a true reflection of the novelist’s inner reality. Rather, it may be a projection or a role that writers feel they must play to conform to the expectation that artists, particularly writers, must suffer to create meaningful or authentic work. This perception places an undue emphasis on personal torment as a prerequisite for artistic legitimacy.
Mishima’s words reflect his complex views on art and suffering. Throughout his works, he often explored the relationship between pain, creativity, and identity. However, Mishima was also critical of the idea that suffering is an essential or defining quality of the artist. He suggests that the novelist does not need to embody suffering in order to represent it. In fact, the performance of suffering may be counterproductive, as it can distract from the true nature of the writer’s craft, which is not necessarily rooted in misery but in the ability to articulate and transcend the complexities of the human experience. Mishima’s quote challenges the romanticized notion of the “suffering artist” and encourages a more authentic understanding of the relationship between the writer and their work.
In a modern context, Mishima’s critique remains relevant in how we perceive artists today, particularly in the realm of literature and creative writing. The idea that an artist must suffer in order to produce valuable or profound work continues to persist in some circles, often leading to the romanticization of mental health struggles or personal turmoil as prerequisites for artistic success. Mishima’s words encourage us to recognize that while suffering may be a theme in many works of art, it is not the only or necessary path to creating meaningful literature. Writers and artists, just like any other people, are multifaceted beings, and their creative expression is not confined to their personal experiences of pain or anguish. Instead, creativity can arise from a wide range of emotional states, not just suffering.
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