I like happy endings...

Michael Shipman might deny it, but i really do like stories with happy endings.

Most days I have Japanese homework. Part of this homework includes reading stories. I have been struck recently by how many of these stories have sad endings. Basically you will have character, come to came about him, then horrible things will happen to the character and then the story ends. The consistent moral seems to be life is hard and that can’t be helped.

This is in stark contrast to most of the stories I remember as a child, there was almost always a happy ending. And the times when a main character dies, justice was still served. Today for whatever reason I was thinking and wondering if there is a connection between happy endings and the fact that the gospel has been a regular part of our culture for the last 2000 years or so in the west. Regardless of how you feel about the religious state of our nation or Europe, you can’t deny that the gospel has been a major part of our culture for a long time. In Japanese religion there is no idea of restoration, salvation, or a God coming to save the day. You basically try and keep the Gods from being upset with you and hope that they will help you get what you want.

I am not a anthropologist or a literary historian, but there seems to be a connection to me. Those of you who have visited other parts of the world, I would be happy to hear if any of you have had similar experiences with local stories.