Patriotism

"Patriotism," by Yukio Mishima, is a story of the effects of war on a person, his friendship and the country he loves. The story conveys very descriptive, emotional, and powerful imagery of the main couple's final night and their happy life. It has not been six months since their marriage and Lieutenant Shinji is facing a dilemma: In the morning he is to lead a company of the Imperial army against his best friends, which …

…and every breath of his had been a breath drawn by herself" (709), she commits suicide to leave this materialistic happiness and be remembered as a martyr. <Tab/>Through the character of Shinji and Reiko in "Patriotism," Mishima makes a psychological, emotional, and sociological statement about the love and happiness of this world, which is totally worthless. The patriotism for country is nothing in front of love and sacrifice for our friends.