Some Interpretation of Ōgai Mori’s “The Last Phrase ”

Abstract

　In “The Last Phrase ”(“ Saigo no Ikku”)by Ōgai Mori (1862 -1922), the meaning of the devotion of ‘Ichi’ (‘い ち’), a heroine, seems to be reasonably interpreted through some thought expressed in the “Wisdom and Destiny” (“ La Sagesse et la Destinée”) by Maurice Maeterlinck (1862 -1949). In this work , the Belgian author says,“Reason bars the gate to the malevolent destiny; but wisdom, away on the horizon, throws open another gate to propitious destiny. Reason defends and withdraws; forbids, rejects, and destroys. Wisdom advances, attacks, and adds; increases, creates, and commands.”

　From this point of view, the construction and the theme of “The Last Phrase” will become clear and this work seems to be interpreted as the story of conquering destinies.