At first glance, The Gold Demon by Ozaki Kouyou seems to fulfill many of the melodramatic stereotypes. Miya, the beautiful girl who comes from a non-prominent family with aspirations of a higher status. Tomiyama, the rich villain who steals Miya away with the promise of making her dreams come true. Kanichi, the poor student who is in love with the girl and fails to get her. What made Golden Demons incredibly popular when it was first released was how the author plays with the archetypes.
One example of playing with archetypes is with the character Miya, who is the epitome of a cold beauty especially since she is described as her love is half of what Kanichi's love for her. The author paints her as a great physical beauty that even her modest clothing does not dim her light. She is given depth when she had realized that her beauty is the only tool she can use to advance through thorugh society. She carefully considers each proposal she has received and where she will be if she marries that person. In a Jane Austen-like manner, marriage and money are what dominates her motives. Although she is not completely heartless as she feels guilt for breaking off her engagement to Kanichi by allowing her parents to deal the fatal blow to his aspirations. She is keenly aware of what she is giving up by marrying Tomiyama.
Unlike Namiko whose marriage was arranged with little input from her, Miya is given agency in that she has the option of saying no to Tomiyama's proposal. Her parents are happy with whatever she decides on marrying. However, it's inevitable that she does not because Kanichi can not provide what she want and gives into money's alluring power. Kanichi berates her for leading him on and forsakes her, but he does not understand her actions nor share the same concerns as she shares. As a man, he could move up in the world by using his intelligence and merit. Miya only has one chance to move up in the world, and she is determined not to waste it. Miya is the center point where the timeless melodramatic theme of money vs. love fight over, which why people are drawn into the story despite the predictability.
One example of playing with archetypes is with the character Miya, who is the epitome of a cold beauty especially since she is described as her love is half of what Kanichi's love for her. The author paints her as a great physical beauty that even her modest clothing does not dim her light. She is given depth when she had realized that her beauty is the only tool she can use to advance through thorugh society. She carefully considers each proposal she has received and where she will be if she marries that person. In a Jane Austen-like manner, marriage and money are what dominates her motives. Although she is not completely heartless as she feels guilt for breaking off her engagement to Kanichi by allowing her parents to deal the fatal blow to his aspirations. She is keenly aware of what she is giving up by marrying Tomiyama.
Unlike Namiko whose marriage was arranged with little input from her, Miya is given agency in that she has the option of saying no to Tomiyama's proposal. Her parents are happy with whatever she decides on marrying. However, it's inevitable that she does not because Kanichi can not provide what she want and gives into money's alluring power. Kanichi berates her for leading him on and forsakes her, but he does not understand her actions nor share the same concerns as she shares. As a man, he could move up in the world by using his intelligence and merit. Miya only has one chance to move up in the world, and she is determined not to waste it. Miya is the center point where the timeless melodramatic theme of money vs. love fight over, which why people are drawn into the story despite the predictability.
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