The Analysis of Kobayashi's The Human Condition Trilogy by Referring to Arendt's Storytelling

Abstract

In the Prologue to The Human Condition (1958), Hannah Arendt writes about her surprise at humans' desire to escape from their human condition. That same year, Junpei Gomikawa's autobiographical World War II novel titled The Human Condition was published and served as the basis for Kobayashi's film trilogy The Human Condition (1959-1961). The concurrent release of these critical works with the same title in distinct intellectual spheres is not coincidental. Personal encounter with totalitarianism is the basis for that intellectual reaction. In line with this argument, this study analyzes the narration in The Human Condition trilogy by referring to Arendt's literary approach. Moreover, the use of cinematographic factors is examined to depict the main character Kaji's struggle to stay 'human' in the face of a totalitarian and oppressive world.