Creative Projects #2 (Blog #11)

In the second creative project I was assigned to analyze and discuss the character of Toshiro. Toshiro is your typical protagonist. He is very hard working and his actions revolve around his morals of life. When first introduced to his character in the movie, I was impressed at his ability to keep his cool, even during the most stressful of times. I liked Toshiro a lot because he seemed to make no mistake or have any flaw. Even when he was provoked and challenged by a drunk, he kept his cool and chose wise words so not to anger his enemy, even convincing his opponent to rest and fight when he would sober up. His hard working attitude and ambition to do the right thing also contributed to his role of the perfect protagonist. Even though he was a samurai and widowed, he took up work on his farm to make sure his two daughters and Alzheimer ridden mother would live comfortable lives. The thing that impressed me most about Toshiro was that he was never troubled by temptations that might have distracted him in his work. His fellow samurai constantly invited him and pressured him into visiting the sake house and brothel every day after work but he knew that his duty was to go home and work on the farm. Overall I thought he was the perfect protagonist of the play, he had almost no flaws in his character and he always knew right from wrong. His humbleness and hardworking attitude was something for all the other characters to look up to, and his wise decisions with life ultimately saves and enlightens others.
Toshiro lives a very difficult and stressful life. In the play, his wife had died shortly before, thus leaving him to take of the house and his farm. Living with Toshiro is his two young daughters and his mother who has a severe case of Alzheimer's. During the entire story, I often felt sad for Toshiro, who had to face numerous obstacles, including his ridiculing uncle and his alcoholic fellow samurai. Toshiro has a very strong will that cannot be budged. Tempted and provoked in many parts of the story, he always does the right thing: staying calm and responding to everyone with words of wisdom.
In the Creative Projects #2 I also included a couple of lines from the play, to help symbolize and give an idea to the audience of what type of character Toshiro might be like.

Dirty and unshaven, Toshiro still is able to help guide his daughters with life lessons even though he spends much of his free time working on his farm and house chores. I think that this character portrays the ideals and morals of a true protagonist of any story

Not wanting to offend his opponent nor wanting to fight at all, Toshiro still beats him with a wooden practice sword so that he could show his peaceful intention.