Mishima The Sailor symbols

Father Figures
Father figures are hailed as malicious beings throughout the novel by Noboru and his gang.
They believe that fathers aim to conform and mold them into societal values. The chief quotes
"They're suspicious of anything creative, anxious to whittle the world down into something
puny they can handle. A father is a reality-concealing machine for dishing up lies to kids, and
that isn't even the worst of it - secretly he believes that he represents reality".

Noboru and his gang believe father figures suppress their freedom and their ability. The chief
quotes "there's nothing they want to do to contaminate our freedom and our ability. Nothing
they won't do to protect the filthy cities they've built for themselves". This is further seen as
each of the boys describe their fathers - Number Two's father beats him; Number Four's father
is a drunk, bullies his mother and has three mistresses. Noboru accepts this further to hold
pride that his father passed away when he was eight and cannot suppress him.

This further explains Noboru's aversion to accept Ryuji as his father figure. As father figures are
'bad', this further justifies the boys' decision to kill him and to prevent him changing from a
'hero' to what they perceive as a 'villain'. At the same time, it may also be interpreted that
Noboru's aversion to father figures may serve as his defense mechanism to deal with his loss.
Marriage
Marriage, in the novel, is a symbol for weaknesses and conformity. Although Ryuji's viewpoints
on marriage eventually change, early in the novel he considers other officers who are married
and have two or three children to have "thrown their opportunity away", stating that "there's
no hope for them anymore". The idea of marriage, children and settling down becomes a
hindrance towards the pursuit of glory. To marry is to give up glory; to achieve glory is to give
up a life of marriage. Although Ryuji's viewpoint on marriage changes and eventually marries
Fusako, Noboru's does not. He views Ryuji's marriage proposal as an act of weakness as he
conforms to society and gives up his pursuit of glory. To marry is to follow social norms, yet the
gang believe that society is "fiction", therefore not worthy enough to conform to.

What is the symbolic role that the sea plays in this novel?
The sea serves as a powerful symbol that permeates the text. Noboru looks towards the sea as
a kind of escape, a part of society that he does not despise but instead is captivated by its
vastness. Ryuji, a sailor embodies the masculinity and glory befitting a man of the sea.

What is the role of honor killing in the text?

A masculine code of honor drives Noboru's actions. At first when Ryuji believes himself to be
destined for greatness as a sailor, Noboru admires and respects him as an honourable man.
However when Ryuji abandons the sea and all of its greatness, Noboru loses respect for Ryuji
and reacts in the only way he can, by killing him.