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On page 96, in paragraph 4 of the story it is characterizing the people involved at that time.  For example, "It always seems she's in deep thought, thinking about something troubling that makes her eyes seem to wince and tear even from afar where Akira watches over her." In paragraph 4 however, it starts with "Several months ago," which is a sudden switch of topic from characterzation to suicide. Why do you think the author decided to abruptly switch topics at that time?

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“Ishin Denshin - there is a silent understanding between us” how do you believe this quote from page 103 connects back to the first text that Yoshiko sent to Akira?  “Onaji kama no Meshi o Kutta” “We have eaten from the same rice pot”.

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On page 98 Mr Takaashi tells Akira “good things will come but sometimes suffering is needed to realize it” How do you believe this difference to what Seiji says on page 102 “it’s easy to be lost in fear and sadness. It brings people together but often for the wrong reasons.” Why do you think the two men have such different views to what pain and sadness can do to people?

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On Page 97 paragraph 2 the protagonist reads a message “Onaji kama no Meshi o Kutta” “We have eaten from the same rice pot”, why do you believe Yosiko sent the message to Akira and what do you think she means by it?

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This motif of loneliness can be found throughout the story for example, page 96, paragraph 5 “website designed to bring people together who did not want to end their life alone”. This line addresses loneliness as well as a sense of community. How and why do you think the author continues to use this motif of community in such an isolated and not talked about topic such as mental health.

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On page 1, paragraph 2, we find out "His father had died in a gas factory accident years ago and, not wanting to burden or worry his already ailing mother, he has never told her the truth about his life." On page 100 paragraph 1 it says, "Akira begins to recall a childhood memory: making New Year cards with his mother using rubber stamps." How do you think this relates to his character development/change throughout the story.

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On page 98, Akira says "I feel as if I'm on a sled on a very big hill in winter but with no one to push me," and then he also says "I'm not so sure that I even have the sled any more." Using evidence from the short story, explain how this is connected to his life?

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Page 97, paragraph 3, “I want to work” Akira typed. I am not lazy.” This line is said after the world issue of suicide is brought up. Why did the author choose this diction? Was it to highlight a way for Akira to run away from his intrusive thoughts about suicide? Could working be a distraction?

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In the first page it can be seen that the author describes people in vague terms, almost as if they are dismissed. “...the crowds begin to disperse, which in Japan doesn't really look like dispersing at all but more of a reshuffling of people” Page 1, paragraph 1. In comparison to the end of the story where the author addresses the topic of understanding the problems of each individual person “When I walk in the crowded streets in this city, the isolation pulls at me like strings unraveling my heart. It saddens me that only tragedy can bring these people together” page.104, paragraph 1. How does this change in perspective add to a lesson being learnt from the story?

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On page 103, paragraph 4, The  author wrote "But as Akira scrolls down the page, he comes to a photograph of two body bags being rolled out of an apartment building one smaller than the other." After this, the author did not proceed to include any other details about Yoshiko's death. Why do you think that is? Why did the author choose to not include the cause behind Yoshiko's death in the story?

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On page 103, in paragraph 3, Yoshiko texts Akira, "there is a silent understanding between us." What do you think she meant by this in response to what Akira had previously sent her on page 101, paragraph 2, which was "Akira anxiously waits for her to respond so he can type more and tell her the good news about the new job, the possibility of being able to move out of the cyber café in six months, and how he wants to take her and her daughter to the zoo one day"?

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What do you think the author intended when writing phrases that indicate how oddly clingy Akira is to Yoshiko? These phrases include, "In this time, he imagines Yoshiko's tiny silhouette lying in bed beside her daughter, the movement of their shadows quick and uneven as if they were both crying, gradually slowing down until their forms are quiet and motionless" (page 102), "Akira keeps the photos of Yoshiko and her daughter from the newspaper close to him always" (page 104), and more. Do you think  it was possible that Yoshiko was just as clingy to him and prioritized him as he did to her? Why or why not?

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Mr Seiji in page 102 says "We're all far more alike than we'd like to believe and it is this that we must strive to remember", how does this relate to Akira and Yoshiko?

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Page 98, paragraph 2 while talking to Mr. Takashi, Akira says "I feel as if I'm on a sled on a very big hill in winter but with no one to push me" however, he then says "I'm not so sure I even have the sled anymore" how does it show his changing view points in life?

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On page 95, the author describes Akira as a "working homeless person" that carries their luggage with them, however with the word "before" starting the next sentence, what does this tell you about Akira's life?

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How does the author address the global issue of responsibility in pg.1 with the line "His father had died in a gas factory accident years ago and, not wanting to burden or worry his already ailing mother, he has never told her the truth about his life." How is Akira characterised through the description?

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Why does the author choose to establish a sense of monotonous routine in Akira's lifestyle? In pg.2 "He always takes the same route, past the cherry trees...where the same African hip-hop dancers practice their moves everyday" To then at the end of the story in pg. 10, "Akira continues to walk to Ameyokocho as he always did when Yoshiko was in his life. He walks past the cherry trees... where the same African hip-hop dancers practice their moves." What does this suggest about Akira's mindset on life over the course of the story?

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What are the authors intentions in pg.2, para.3, when characterising Yoshiko as "beautiful... but tired and worn, with strands of gray hair circling the two buns she wears her hair in. She never seems to stop working... It always seems she's in deep thought, thinking about something troubling that makes her eyes seem to wince and tear" What does this foreshadow?

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On page 102 Seiji tells Akira “‘…It's easy to be lost in fear and sadness. It brings people together but often for the wrong reasons. It blinds them.'" then "Akira nods and looks into Seiji's worn eyes, seeing an emptiness that is all too familiar.” How does this interaction characterize the two and develop their relationship at this point in the story.

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At the end of page 96 after reading a article about the Aokigahara Forest  "Akira became obsessed with the idea. He imagined himself in the forest, looking up at the shadows of bodies that seemed to descend like reaching fingertips, calling him to join them." How does this foreshadow/set the tone for future events and characterize Akira at this point in the story.

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On page one paragraph one "given what you learn later, what do you think influences Akira's choice to not want not be seen as different or to not connect with the other homeless people?"

Ian

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The first paragraph on page 5 and paragraph 2 of page 6, “ Akira forces himself to forget that it was the thought of ending it all - and not just the painful moments but the beautiful ones as well” and  “It brings people together but often for the wrong reasons.”, how do these quotes about pain bringing people together add to the overall message of the story?

Ian

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In the first paragraph it says “Sometimes he catches himself wanting to talk to them, share stories” and “ They want to hold on to the moments where people acknowledge their existence”. Theas quotes show the motif of the need of human contact. Why do you think the author highlighted our need for human contact?

Ian

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at the start of page 101 after Akira contemplates his relations with Yoshiko "He wonders what proportion of happy moments to sad ones are necessary for a person to sincerely want to keep living and hopes that he and Yoshiko can both get there together." How does this quote show the effect Akira's conversations with Yoshiko had on his evaluation of existence.

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