Sand as Representative of Community in Woman in the Dunes Anonymous 12th Grade

Sand in The Woman in the Dunes is an omnipresent force that cannot be easily escaped. In the novel, sand is defined as an aggregate of rock fragments, sometimes including loadstone, tinstone, and more rarely gold dust, with a diameter of 2 to 1/16mm (13). This scientific approach of definition by the main character, Niki Jumpei, disconnects him from the importance that these rock fragments have in his life. Page 39 of the novel supports the evidence that although Niki does not yet see himself as a member of the community, the people of the village work clearing the sand in order to protect the livelihood of their neighbor, and ultimately themselves. It is only through shoveling the sand every night that they have a functioning community. The sand forces them to work together. In this sense, sand is the community. Each grain works together, and is a piece of a whole. A single grain can be ignored without hesitation (Niki), yet many grains cannot be disregarded easily. It is the collaborative work of the community that keeps everyone safe, and therefore the sand that keeps them safe. Safe from the city and safe from the outside world. This paper will prove that through an analysis of the setting (sand), ultimately arguing that...