Discuss the interpersonal relationships between the four Makioka sisters. How do they differ from one another?

Tanizaki includes two major natural disasters in his narrative. What role do they play in the story? Are they symbolic?

How does Tanizaki describe the effects of separation on his characters?

The growing worldwide hostilities are rarely mentioned in the story, despite being a looming reality at the time the story takes place. Why does Tanizaki keep war in the background? What effect does it have on the overall story?

How does Tanizaki create a sense of the different regions of Japan and what they mean to the characters?

There are several foreign characters in the novel. What role do they play? How do they affect the outlook of the Makioka family?

How is traditional Japanese culture depicted in the novel. How does it create conflict between the...