Message on the chalk board: "TAKING THE DAY OFF BECAUSE WE WANT TO - CLASS B."
Why the knife attack against the teacher's leg and why no suspension?
Why did the father commit suicide?
Was the class chosen at random or were they selected by their disposition?
Thanks in advance. Cheers.
The first two things are meant to show that the youth is out of control. Not only do they skip class and attack authority figures for no apparent reason, but they're not even shy about it - they're perfectly happy to brag about their misbehaviour to their own teachers.
As explained in the later flashback in the restaurant, Shuya's dad was out of a job, his mood was unstable, and he thought of himself as a failure. Eventually his despair and lack of self-esteem took him. He apparently thought he was such a worthless human being that his son would actually do better if he weren't around.
According to Kitano, the class was chosen at random. However, he himself may have known his former class would be chosen, or else his career switch is hard to explain. By expanding on Kawada's way of signing on for the Battle Royale, the novel suggests that the classes are selected long in advance.
Is the novel worthwhile? Thanks!
shareIf you liked the movie, you'll probably like the book. It gives you a lot more detail about character backstories, and it features a number of interesting scenes that weren't in the film.
On the other hand, while the film is one of the final masterpieces of a veteran director with a personal mission to make the story as intimate and evocative as possible, the novel is the writing debut of a journalist-turned-novelist who was clearly more interested in bloody spectacle than emotional depth. It has many, many problems.
Still, you'll probably have to decide for yourself whether you like the book or not. Those who see the movie first, usually think the movie is better. Those who read the novel first, usually think the novel is better.