MADMAN ON THE ROOFTOP (ENGLISH)

Question 1

Who were the characters in the madman on the rooftop?

Answer 1

1. The Madman, Batsushima
   Yoshitarô, aged 24.
2. Younger Brother, Suejirô, a middle school student, aged 17.
3. Gisuke (Father)
4. Oyoshi (Mother)
5. A Neighbor, Tôsaku.
6. A Servant, Kichiji, aged 20.
7. A Hag referred to as a Holy-
   woman, aged about 50.

Question 2

When and where did the story happen?

Answer 2

Time - Meiji, in the thirties.
Place - An island off the
coast of Sanuki in the Inland
Sea.

Question 3

What was the conflict of the story?

Answer 3

Yoshitarô’s madness and his family’s struggle to deal with it
form the central conflict.

Question 4

What was the solution of the story?

Answer 4

The story ends with the
family accepting Yoshitarô’s
condition, leaving him on the
roof as the golden evening
sun sets.

Question 5

Name at least three themes/lessons from the story?

Answer 5

1. Madness
2. Familial love
3. Societal shame

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