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English Explanation of A Living God | ISC Class 11 Prism Textbook | English with Sudhir Sir | SWS

Study with Sudhir・2 minutes read

The story of "A Living God" by Lafcadio Hearn follows Hamaguchi Go's heroic sacrifice during a tsunami, emphasizing themes of sacrifice, community, and tradition in Japanese society, leading to his revered status as a deity among the villagers who worship him for his selflessness. Western and Japanese beliefs about the unity of the mind and spirit shape the perception of worshipping Hamaguchi's spirit while he is alive, showcasing contrasting views on the soul between the cultures.

Insights

  • The story of Hamaguchi Go highlights themes of sacrifice, community, and tradition, showcasing the importance of selflessness during crises and the reverence of individuals who prioritize the well-being of others over personal gain.
  • Japanese beliefs in the unity of all minds allow for the worship of Hamaguchi's spirit while he is alive, emphasizing a unique perspective on spirituality where the mind and spirit can exist in different places simultaneously, contrasting with Western concepts of the soul and reflecting the deep gratitude felt by the villagers towards Hamaguchi.

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Recent questions

  • What is the story "A Living God" about?

    The story revolves around a farmer's sacrifice.

  • What is the setting of "A Living God"?

    The story is set in a village.

  • What does Hamaguchi Go do for the village?

    He mediates disputes and helps farmers.

  • How does Hamaguchi Go warn the village?

    He burns his rice stacks as a warning signal.

  • How do the villagers react to Hamaguchi's actions?

    They revere him as a god and build a temple in his honor.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"A Living God: Sacrifice in Japanese Village"

  • The Prism and Raps CID course is for Class 11 students in ISC, covering the first five chapters of the textbook "A Collection of ISC Short Stories."
  • The story "A Living God" by Lafcadio Hearn is about a rich farmer, Hamaguchi Go, who saves 400 lives during a tsunami by sacrificing his rice stacks.
  • The story emphasizes sacrifice, selflessness, presence of mind, and gratitude from the villagers towards Hamaguchi Go.
  • It highlights the importance of community during crises and the theme of tradition in Japanese society.
  • The setting of the story is a village with 90 dwellings and a population of 400, including a temple and a priest.
  • Tsunamis in Japan are caused by earthquakes or submarine volcanic action, with the last one in 1896 claiming nearly 30,000 lives.
  • The story of Hamaguchi Go is not about the 1896 tsunami but a similar calamity in 1854 during the era of Meiji.
  • Hamaguchi Go, the headman of the village, was respected and influential, known as Oisan, Choa, and Mirasa.
  • He mediated disputes, advanced money to farmers, and ensured they got the best prices for their rice.
  • His farmhouse overlooked a bay and was surrounded by wooded summits, with terrace farming prevalent in the area.

15:38

"Village saved by burning rice stacks"

  • The Village and Shinto Temple are situated along a bay, with terraced farming and 90 hearts at different levels.
  • Hamaguchi Go observes preparations for a festival celebrating a successful rice harvest in the village.
  • An earthquake occurs, with a long, slow, spongy motion, leading to Hamaguchi's concern due to its unusual nature.
  • The sea darkens and acts strangely, receding and moving against the wind, alarming the villagers.
  • Unfamiliar land and weed-covered areas are exposed as the sea recedes, causing astonishment among the villagers.
  • Hamaguchi recalls childhood stories and traditions, realizing the impending danger and the need to warn the village.
  • He quickly lights a torch, traditionally used on stormy nights and Shinto festivals, to burn his rice stacks as a warning signal.
  • The burning stacks create columns of smoke, signaling danger to the villagers, with Hamaguchi focused on saving lives.
  • His grandson, terrified and confused, believes Hamaguchi has gone mad, while Hamaguchi continues setting fire to all the stacks.
  • Hamaguchi exhausts all the stacks, signaling the danger by throwing down his torch, prioritizing the safety of the village over his own reputation.

30:23

Heroic Priest Saves Village from Tsunami

  • The aoly acolyte, a priest's assistant at the Hill Temple, mistook a ceremonial fire for an emergency, leading him to ring a bell to gather help.
  • Observing the fire, Hamaguchi believed a tsunami was imminent, prompting him to signal for assistance by setting the rise on fire.
  • The villagers rushed to extinguish the fire, climbing the hill like ants, with the younger individuals reaching the spot first to tackle the flames.
  • Despite the villagers' efforts to douse the fire, Hamaguchi instructed them to let it burn, waiting for the entire village to arrive.
  • The villagers, including children and elders, gathered to help, with even children assisting in passing water to extinguish the fire.
  • As the sun set, Hamaguchi's actions were revealed, causing shock and fear among the villagers as they witnessed the approaching tsunami.
  • The colossal swell of the tsunami struck the shore repeatedly, causing destruction and leaving the villagers speechless at the devastation.
  • Hamaguchi, having saved 400 lives by his sacrifice, was revered by the villagers, who realized the reason for their survival and expressed gratitude.
  • The villagers declared Hamaguchi a god, building a temple in his honor and worshiping him with prayers and offerings.
  • Despite being hailed as a deity, Hamaguchi continued to live humbly with his family, embodying selflessness and sacrifice in the eyes of the villagers.

45:00

"Japanese Peasants Worship Deceased Farmer's Spirit"

  • The text discusses the legacy of a deceased farmer, Hamaguchi, whose soul is worshipped in a shrine while his body remains in the temple for over 100 years. People pray to him in times of trouble, seeking his help.
  • A Western person questions how the Japanese peasants can worship Hamaguchi's spirit while he is alive, wondering if they believe in multiple souls. A Japanese philosopher explains that the mind and spirit can be in different places simultaneously, a concept different from Western beliefs about the soul.
  • The Japanese belief in the unity of all minds allows for the idea that souls can be in multiple places at once, contrasting with Western notions of the soul. This concept reflects the deep gratitude felt by Japanese peasants towards Hamaguchi.
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