The Pearl Case

Mrs. Matsumura demonstrates the qualities of a satire character according to the Bushido Code throughout the story "The Pearl". "The Pearl" contains mostly irony because the author pokes fun at Japanese social system. In the beginning of the story, Mrs. Sasaki loses a pearl out of her ring and sets it down next to the cake tray. After Mrs. Sasaki's guests leave from her birthday party, Mrs. Matsumura reaches into her make-up bag and pulls out a pearl. "Mrs. Matsumura stifled an explanation of surprise. Recently her relationship with Mrs. Yamamoto had been far from cordial, and she had no wish to share with that lady a discovery with such awkward implications for herself" (137). This quote shows Mrs. Matsumura's character. Once she realizes the pearl is in her possession, she wants to keep it. She knows that it is wrong but still follows through with it. This shows that she is selfish because she does not want to put herself in any awkward position. It shows she does not have any honor or loyalty. Mrs. Matsumura quickly exits the taxi because she fears Mrs. Yamamoto will realize what she had come across. "Mrs. Matsumura fretfully gave her mind to a number of reflections on her position" (138). At this point, Mrs. Matsumura is thinking about what to do with the pearl she had found. Should she return it and raise suspicion, or should she keep it and act like nothing had happened? Mrs. Matsumura satires the Bushido Code because she is not being honest about having the pearl. In order to cover up her finding, Mrs. Matsumura went to the store, bought a bigger pearl, and gave Mrs. Sasaki the new pearl. "By this device Mrs. Matsumura proposed to escape forever the infamy of suspicion, and equally- by a small outlay of cash- the pricks of an uneasy conscience" (139). Mrs. Matsumura is trying to cover up her tracks by replacing the ring with one of more value.

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