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Although seemingly two divergent subjects, the recurring traditions of anarchy and Zen Buddhism, seen particularly through Jiko’s character in A Tale for the Time Being, have in common their aim to critique and reject the status quo. In the book, A Tale for the Time Being, author Ruth Ozeki ultimately advocates for stepping outside of societal norms as a method to finding oneself and discovering a unique, long-lasting purpose in life.

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the symbolism of crows is seen throughout multiple occurrences in the book A Tale For the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki. while there are many different interpretations of what crows represent it at times feels very aligned with how Nao's journey changes over time. Her journey battling with mental health and suicidal ideation is represented by the crow which symbolizes this inescapable feeling of death. Death follows her around in the form of her own suicidal thoughts similar to the crow. However, things change to this representation of self-reflection and eventually to a symbol of rebirth of herself. the crow while not changing itself stands as a symbol for the change of her self journey from being one of feeling despondent to feeling hopeful.

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In Japanese culture, there is an enormous amount of pressure to be “successful” which entails doing extremely well in school and getting a proper and high paying job. When many people in Japan fail to reach this minimum goal, they see no point in life and prefer to kill themselves so they don’t have to face further obstacles in life. The novel, A Tale From a Time Being by Ruth Ozeki highlights the idea of suicide as an easy way for people to run away from their problems, shame, or troubles in their lives to keep their image in society, but not being a conducive way to deal with their issues, which could be solved by using self calming and introspecting practices. Because they are dead, most people would not dare to talk badly about them, and instead simply forget their failures. However, the immediate implication on loved ones is exponentially worse as they feel like an integral part of their family is lost. Therefore, it is imperative that those struggling find a good way to cope with their emotions and get themselves back onto the track of success.

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In A Tale for the Time Being, Ruth Ozeki utilizes the recurring motif of a "special connection" between Ruth, a middle-aged writer, and Nao, a teenage girl living across the Pacific, to challenge the limitations of linear time and traditional communication. This connection transcends physical space and chronological order, fostering a sense of shared experience that mirrors the principles of quantum entanglement. By exploring this non-causal link, Ozeki reinforces the novel's themes of empathy and responsibility across vast divides. The characters' attempts to understand each other, despite the barriers of language, culture, and time, highlight the potential for deeper connection beyond the constraints of the physical world. Ultimately, the "special connection" suggests that meaning and understanding can be found through unexpected and seemingly random occurrences.

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[Will begin with a background on ghosts in Japanese culture and will specify the difference between ghosts and spirits]

Metaphors relating to death have always been used to convey individuals histories. This is because death, in many cultures, is a symbol of change--the passing into the afterlife or reincarnating as something new. Therefore, as people make changes in their lives, their memories become the "ghost of their past." In A Tale for the Time Being, author Ruth Ozeki utilizes depictions of ghosts and their associated traits to emphasize the "new life" process of coping and moving past trauma brings.

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Zazen meditation allows an individual to develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Originating from the teachings of Buddha, zazen calls for enlightenment by exploring one’s spirituality. Throughout “A Tale for the Time Being” by Ruth Ozeki, the main character Nao Yasutani learns how to practice zazen from her grandmother Jiko. Nao utilizes this practice to overcome bullying at school and personal challenges at home. As she becomes more skilled at zazen, she is able to let go of all judgements from society and find inner peace. This emphasizes the importance of turning inward for guidance during times of judgment and difficulty.

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The many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, arising from efforts to explain the strange phenomena of the quantum world with understandable concepts, addresses a paradoxical scientific observation: A particle, such as an electron or proton, can be in multiple states at the same time. Visualizing this is difficult from our daily experience. An object exists at one location, not all of its possible locations. A fix to this problem comes with the many world interpretations which argue that all possible states of a particle or states of your life are present in universes and timelines parallel to the current one. In Ruth Ozeki’s novel, “A Tale for the Time Being,” about a women named Ruth who finds and gets obsessed with the diary of a japanese teenager “Nao,” a similar connection to the many worlds theory is made, but in an attempt to express Ruth’s feelings of doubt about the possible paths that Nao could have taken. In reading the diary slowly attempting to recreate Nao’s feelings, Ruth’s places herself in a state of uncertainty about the future of the book in her mind essentially creating parallel universes consisting of different life paths Nao could have taken. This highlights a bigger theme through this novel that in times of uncertainty and doubt about the future or reality it is often important to accept all that can happen and remain satisfied with the uncertainty of not knowing.

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Throughout Ruth Ozeki’s A Tale for the Time Being, many characters interact online or use the internet in their lives on a daily basis. Now while the internet has many benefits, like the ability to attain information quickly and connect people, there are also the negative effects it has on its users. Victims can result from harmful use of the internet in cases of bullying or exploitation. In the novel, it is Nao who has fallen victim to her peers’ actions, teen bullying. But this issue doesn’t just pertain to Nao, as many other teens are being affected to the point that research is being conducted and data gathered on the negative effects online teen bullying has. Both the research and the novel demonstrate the detrimental effects of online bullying on the victim and how it can diminish one’s mental health and lead them to feel more isolated from their society and alienate them.

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In Ruth Ozeki's novel, "A Tale for the Time Being," the integration of quantum physics reveals the interconnectedness of characters across time and space. Through her exploration of uncertainty, observer effect, and entanglement, Ozeki elucidates the complexities of identity and intimate connections between individual experiences and the wider universe, fostering a profound appreciation for the shared humanity that binds us all together.

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The 2011 Japanese Tsunami is brought up in the book, A Tale for the Time Being was a tragedy that brought many to their knees in despair, especially Ruth, who helplessly witnessed the event unfold on television. Through the portrayal of the 2011 Japanese Tsunami, the concept of inevitability of change is highlighted through the idea that happiness lies in accepting change rather than resisting it.

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Memories are the sole factor into the development of each and every human. One can only learn from what they remember, they can only speak from what they have memorized. The underlying fear of losing those parts of oneself is rooted within co-protagonist Ruth Ozeki throughout the novel, A Tale for the Time Being. Ruth struggles to cope with the slow deterioration of her mothers mind stemming from Alzheimers as well as instilled fear that she, herself, will end up with the same disease. Memories themselves are also precious, fragile and incredibly susceptible to change as other Co-protagonist Naoko Yasutani battles with distinguishing between truth versus what she chooses to remember. Novelist Ruth Ozeki emphasizes the importance of understanding the aspects of memories themselves, their preservation, their uniqueness and their importance.

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Both Nao and Ruth's experiences in A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki elevate stories of climate injustice—from a devastating tsunami to garbage patches floating in the ocean. Similarly, All We Can Save brings together a collection of stories told by climate feminists, inspiring collective action against the horrors of the worsening effects of climate change. Passed down from person to person, stories expand our worldview, inspiring collective action to combat climate injustice and more importantly, increase our empathy–to truly save us all.

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In recent decades many people have noticed that bird migration patterns have changed, scientists think this adaptation is caused by climate change. Both the novel and changes in bird migration patterns highlight Nao and Ruth's ability to adapt out of necessity to rapidly changing or hostile environments.

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The novel and the way folklore behind crows has changed over time and varies between cultures share the same overall message that you can overcome perceived fears or obstacles by thinking outside the box, and what may initially seem set in stone or intimidating may not actually be that way once you change your perspective. The novel prompts the reader to question the perceived permanence of time; likewise the various meanings behind crows introduces new views that challenge their common association with the malevolent. Both also touch on the topic of death, and how it does not inherently have to be scary or an ultimate unavoidable end. In this way, people are forced to rethink the way they approach these concepts with their own personal biases and mindset.

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The idea of patience, acceptance, and awareness is the result of Zen meditation or Zazen which is represented and practiced by Nao’s great-grandmother Jiko. Zazen helps Nao come to peace with her past and cope with her everyday challenges such as bullying, suicidal thoughts, and more. Zazen brings enlightenment which not only can help Nao overcome her troubles, but others who are willing to give it a shot as well. Although it may have not been very apparent in the beginning, Nao’s application of Zazen contributes to her character development throughout the novel as she becomes a more accepting, patient, and peaceful person.

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Through Ozeki's intricate portrayal of gyre structures, the circulation of various items, and Ruth's introspective journey amidst her quest for information, the text delves into the profound theme of the elusiveness of memory and suppressed realities. The spiraling narrative mirrors the perpetual flux of ocean currents and serves as a poignant reflection of the human tendency to evade confronting uncomfortable truths and buried memories, ultimately illuminating the profound depths of human cognition and the perpetual relationship between remembrance and oblivion.

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In Ruth Ozeki's A Tale for the Time Being, the references to climate change, ocean gyres, and garbage patches serve as metaphors for the overwhelming saturation of information on the internet. Through the self-depiction of Ruth, the novel highlights how crucial information can be buried and forgotten amidst the over-saturation of online content, which parallels the pollution of ocean gyres. This connection emphasizes the novel's exploration of societal negligence of history and the urgent need for greater concern in both environmentalism and information consumption.

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Third Culture Kids are those who were raised in a culture other than their parents’ culture and live in a different environment during their developmental stage. In the book A Tale for the Time Being, the protagonist, Naoko Yasutani, serves as the epitome of a third-culture kid who experiences discomfort and unfamiliarity with their parents’ culture. As a character navigating a culture distinct from her parents’, Naoko undergoes a transformative journey—from initial resistance to, later in the novel, embracing and immersing herself in the traditional Japanese culture. This response is typical of third-culture kids who experience identity confusion and enculturation.

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Through the incorporation of Zazen meditation in Ozeki’s novel A Tale for the Time Being, the value and power of impermanence is revealed through the principle of being ever-present, diminishing the anxiety-inducing notion that a mortal fate awaits us.

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Both the novel  A Tale for the Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki, and the book A la Recherche du Temps Perdus, by Marcel Proust, illustrate that writing is a powerful tool that can have a lasting legacy and impact . Proust’s fascination with forgotten memories and the influence he left behind through his writing mirrors the actions of many characters in Ozeki’s novel as they attempt immortality through the use of written words.

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(I have context written in my introduction, my overarching theme is about trauma and the healing process and research topic is Buddhism):

Both the novel and the teachings of Buddhism bring across the idea that healing from suffering is a commitment and timely process that one must be willing to endure, however, there are various paths one can take to achieve this state of mind. Similarly, they suggest that seeing trauma as something that cannot be overcome is impractical as it is something that everyone experiences in their own ways and one must find outlets that work for them to achieve the ultimate goal of creating the mind into a safe haven from suffering.