I think there are numerous subjects within this novel that
could be studied further that would make an interesting research
paper.
I think certainly (to go a somewhat easy route) you
could pick any of the Japanese traditions, religions or cultural elements presented in
the novel and study them further.
If you wanted to choose a
more difficult (but certainly intersting and possibly more impressive to a college
professor) you could consider this: one of my Chinese exchange students discussed the
book and the film with me at length this year. She said that the portrayal of Japan and
the "Geisha culture" in the book very obviously lacked authenticity. Of course, as an
American who has not read a lot of Japanese literature, I was unaware of this missing
element. She said that to anyone living in Asia, the book sounds obviously written by
an American who basically did a lot of historical study to write it. Possibly you could
look into this and see what has been written about the fact that an American wrote a
very personal (although fictional) account of a Japanese woman's experience. Because of
this, what exactly what missing? I think this could also be tied in to the film. This
student again said that what the book lacked (to her and other Asians) was even more
lacking in the film. She said there is a very obvious cultural element to Chinese and
Japanese film. As she put it (laughing), "It is a story about
Japan, staring Chinese actors, and directed by
an American. How could that possibly come out
right?!"
I certainly think as a college senior you should
challenge yourself as you consider what to write about - but also, seek a topic that has
plenty of published material to make the research part a little
easier.
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