Edogawa Ranpo: The Caterpillar

Book Reviews

Jul 10

Written By Oscar Shinozuka

The Caterpillar by Edogawa Ranpo

Genre: Short Story

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Overall Review

"The Caterpillar" by Edogawa Ranpo is a deeply unsettling and thought-provoking tale that delves into the darkest recesses of the human psyche. Published in 1929, it is one of Ranpo's most disturbing and controversial works, challenging societal norms and exploring themes of power, identity, and societal expectations.

The story revolves around Kyoko, the wife of Lieutenant Sunaga, who returns from war severely disfigured, losing all four limbs and his ability to speak. Reduced to a state of near-helplessness, he becomes a mere human caterpillar, completely dependent on others for his basic needs. Meanwhile, Kyoko is left to care for him, her role becoming increasingly burdensome as her husband's condition worsens.

Ranpo skillfully uses the grotesque imagery of the caterpillar to symbolize the dehumanization and objectification of Lieutenant Sunaga. Through this metaphor, he explores the unsettling power dynamics between Kyoko and her husband. With the prying eyes of the community constantly alert, she is forced to tend to his every need. The question arises: Does her obligation to care for him extend to sacrificing her own happiness and well-being?

Ranpo's writing style in "The Caterpillar" is haunting and visceral, drawing the reader into a world of discomfort and unease. His ability to vividly depict the physical and emotional torment of the characters adds to the story's impact. The narrative is skillfully paced, gradually unraveling the complexities of the brutal consequences of war.

"The Caterpillar" is a highly thought-provoking and unsettling story that challenges societal norms and dives into the darkest corners of the human condition. Ranpo's exploration of power dynamics, identity, and societal expectations makes it a deeply introspective and provocative read. However, due to its disturbing nature and explicit content, it may not be suitable for all readers.

Disclaimer: The following contains spoilers

War Heros: The Ugly Reality of the Burden

Initially published during a time when Japan was imperialistically ambitious, this controversial short story—which was banned from being reprinted in 1939—shed light on how war affects soldiers and their families. Instead of an image of a handsome young man returning from battle, Ranpo’s character illustrates the harsh realities of war: the short-lived admiration that soldiers receive upon their return, and the pressure that the wives of the soldiers must endure from the watchful eyes of the surrounding community.

The protagonist of this story is Tokiko, wife to Lieutenant Sunaga—or at least that was what he used to be called. Former Lieutenant Sunaga had been struck by shrapnel from a shell leaving him as a quadruple amputee that was deaf and mute. The only way of communication was by writing. She would write down her message on a piece of paper, and he would write a response using his mouth in replacement of his missing hands and arms. At first, her husband’s condition was a “novelty,” and Tokiko was content with the praise she received for sticking by Sunaga despite his current state, but after three years of sacrifice, she started to change. She started to feel a sense of disgust when she was praised, for she knew that it had become nothing more than a facade—both the compliments and her smile. She even began to fear herself, for her unimaginable spiteful thoughts, and eventually, those thoughts manifested into a reality. She began tormenting her sexually starved husband—who she started to refer to as just a “lump of flesh.”

“Suddenly bending over her husband, she smothered his twisted mouth with kisses. Soon, a look of deep contentment and pleasure crept into his eyes, followed by an ugly smile. She continued to kiss him—closing her eyes to forget his ugliness—and, gradually, she felt a strong urge to tease this poor cripple, who was so utterly helpless.”

— Tales of Mystery and Imagination, The Caterpillar by Edogawa Ranpo

Thanks for reading my review! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!