Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories Chapter Summary & Analysis - Death Register, and The Life of a Stupid Man Summary

Death Register, and The Life of a Stupid Man Summary

Death Register:

The narrator states that his mother is a lunatic, though a quiet lunatic, and so he never enjoyed a mother's care. She died when he was 11, and the narrator remembers the events surrounding her death. Living with his adoptive mother, the narrator is alerted by a telegram as to his mother's deteriorating condition. They travel by rickshaw to her. The first night he cries, but finds the second night he is unable to do so. His mother dies the third night. The narrator remembers how long the funeral procession trip was, and that he fell asleep several times during it.

Next to be recalled is the death of his eldest sister, named "Hatsuko" meaning First Daughter. She is said to be the smartest amongst the siblings. She wears Western-style dresses. She dies on April 5th when she is very young. The narrator does not get to know...
(read more)