Thesis
Polar Opposites and Twin Flames: Sono Ayako and Takahashi Takako’s Use of Japanese Catholicism through Literature
University of Iowa
Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Iowa
Spring 2026
Abstract
The authors Sono Ayako and Takahashi Takako are incredibly different both in their writing careers and their personal life but are connected by their unique Japanese Catholic faith. In their works, they explore morality through uninhibited sexuality and depravity amongst the backdrop of a rigid and stifling postwar society. Most importantly, they use their faith not as a way to critique or to preach, but as a way to understand the gray area of humanity. Takahashi’s novel The Wasteland and her collection of short stories Lonely Woman as well as Sono’s novels Watcher From the Shore and No Reason For Murder are analyzed, compared, and contrasted against one another as well as the author’s shared religion for a comprehensive understanding of how both women reckoned with pertinent societal issues such as morality, abortion, and sexism.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Polar Opposites and Twin Flames: Sono Ayako and Takahashi Takako’s Use of Japanese Catholicism through Literature
- Creators
- Ava N Nollen - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Kendall Heitzman (Mentor) - University of IowaKendall Heitzman (Advisor) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Project Type
- Honors Thesis
- Degree Awarded
- Bachelor of Arts (BA), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Asian Languages and Literatures
- Date degree season
- Spring 2026
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 35 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2026 Ava N Nollen
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- CLAS Honors Theses
- Record Identifier
- 9985176647902771
Metrics
1 Record Views