Confessions of a Mask

In what ways is Kochan’s bodily health a character in the story, whether antagonist or protagonist? How does health affect how Kochan views others?

How does the social environment of World War II-era Japan shape Kochan’s view of himself and others? What specific aspects of Japanese culture, heritage, and history affect Kochan’s development throughout the story?

How does Mishima use genre and style to characterize Kochan? Consider his prose poem and his extended dream sequence—do these elements reveal more about Kochan, or are they just another mask?