In her short story “Congruent Figures,” Takako Takahashi explores various ideas of psychological realism. Around the 1970s, the genre emerged, expressing ideas of individualism and a greater focus on emotions and feelings, which rejected the collectivist ideals of Confucius. A problem in the short story is that of the rejection of society and the way in which we are linked to the ideals imposed on us. The use of seasons in the short story shows the acceptance of the societal roles given to Akiko. Throughout the novella, we see the internal issues that Akiko faces as she moves forward into motherhood. At the beginning of the story, Hatsuko, Akiko's daughter, reveals how she experienced her mother's dislike of her during her childhood and adolescence. In the letter that Hatsuko wrote to her mother to ask her why "she didn't love him" (1). Akiko then responds to herself by saying that "her feelings towards her daughter [are not] abnormal" (2), which is an example of how she denies societal roles. Having entered the role of a mother, Akiko longs to escape this role, as evidenced by her constant rejection of her daughter. Akiko, however, cannot leave the role of mother to become her own person again due to the Confucius influences that govern her life. Her desire to become her own person becomes evident later in the story when she becomes jealous of the attention her daughter receives. rather than herself. At this point in the story, it becomes obvious why Akiko despises Hatsuko. She feels like Hatsuko is stealing her youth and her own unique traits that make up who she is. When the guest is at their house, there are cases where it is obvious that Hatsuko is stealing Aki...... middle of paper......o take" (13) her grandchild rather than accepting it with open arms. Hatsuko forces Akiko to take her child, which is one of the reasons why Akiko is ultimately defeated Akiko is also, in a sense, forced into the role of mother and grandmother. mother because of her family When Akiko holds her grandchild in her arms, she notices that her "blood flowed through [Hatsuko]...continued to flow even to Misako" (13). all three again tie Akiko to the role due to the collectivist ideas of importance on family. The ideas expressed in the short story are part of the psychological realism that took place. area in which she would publish The way the seasons are handled in the short story expresses how Akiko wants to break free from social norms but cannot do so because of society...