Descendants of Cain - Cain's Tale

A short story by Takeo Arishima. It was first published in Shinshosetsu in July 1917 (Taisho 6). It was partially revised and included in the third volume of Takeo Arishima's Collected Works, published by Shinchosha in February of the following year. As the author himself states in "Cain's Descendants," which is "nothing but a self-portrait" (Shincho, January 1919), the story depicts the ignorant and wild protagonist Niemon's "painful life," driven by a "strong urge to live," alienated from farm society, and struggling against the harsh nature of Hokkaido but losing. The protagonist is confirmed to be based on someone who actually worked at the Arishima Farm, but the author's notes make it clear that the character is a fictional representation of the author's own understanding of humanity as "attachment to life." The story also has many other aspects, such as the issue of the mythical title, which is based on the Bible, and its relationship to farm issues.

[Yamada Shunji]

"Cain's Descendants" (Kadokawa Bunko)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

有島武郎(たけお)の短編小説。1917年（大正6）7月『新小説』に発表。一部改稿して、翌年2月新潮社刊『有島武郎著作集』第3集に収録。「自己を描出したに外ならない『カインの末裔』」（1919・1『新潮』）で作者自身が述べているように、無知で野性的な主人公仁右衛門が、「生きねばならぬ激しい衝動」に動かされて、農場社会からは疎外され、北海道の過酷な自然とも闘って敗れる「苦しい生活の姿」を描く。主人公には、実際に有島農場で働いていたモデルが確認されているが、作者自身の「生に対する執着」という人間認識を仮託した人物であることは、自註(じちゅう)に明らかである。このほか、聖書に取材した神話的な題名の問題や、農場問題との関係など、多様な側面をもっている。

［山田俊治］

『『カインの末裔』（角川文庫）』

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