A Tale for the Time Being

Will Pikus

    A central theme in the story of A Tale for the Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki, has been suicide. Throughout the book, Ruth’s concern for Nao grows increasingly. As Nao’s emotional state worsens with each entry, it becomes apparent that she’s becoming more and more casual about suicide. Since her mind is set on it, it almost seems as if a weight has been lifted off her shoulder. Unfortunately, this is something that happens in real life to those who are victims of their own mental health. There are many stories of people sounding happy right before they’re never heard from again.

            It is evident that Nao has begun to feel better when Ozeki pens the following quotation “Making the decision to end my life really helped me lighten up, and suddenly all the stuff my old Jiko had told me about the time being really kicked into focus. There’s nothing like realizing that you don’t have much time left to stimulate your appreciation for the moments of your life. I mean it sounds corny, but I started to really experience stuff for the first time” (Ozeki 333).  She goes on to explain how she walked through nature and found a new outlook on her own life. 

            This seems to be a turning point for Nao. At the same time, Ruth is reading Nao’s journal only to discover that the pages that were once there no longer remain. Her worries then seem to work themselves into her sleep. The following morning, the pages reappear. It also seems that Nao’s life is much better than it previously was. After the death of Jiko, Nao and her father no longer wish to commit suicide. It’s apparent that Ruth’s actions had some effect on Nao, and that why she decided not to go through with ending her life. The message here was that it only took one person, that being Ruth, to care. As soon as someone cared and acted, it completely changes the course of Nao’s life. Ruth expressing her worries to the crow in her dream was the only way that Nao could be reached and have her views on life swayed. 

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