How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Naturally," the general said, "we are interested in maintaining a certain fiction. Mr. Baynes is representative for Tor-Am industries of Stockholm, purely businessman. And I am Shinjiro Yatabe."
Mr. Tagomi thought, And I am Tagomi. That part is so. (12.22-3)
Tagomi is the cutest. He'll soon think about lying in a different, more positive way (see below). Here he seems almost shocked by all the deceit going on around him; so his "I am Tagomi" sounds like he's trying to grab on to the one fact that he knows to be true. It can be very upsetting to be afloat on a sea of lies (how poetic of us).
Quote #8
"You seem—quite disappointed," Mr. Childan said.
"You notice." He was perturbed; had he let his inner world out for all to view? He shrugged. Certainly it was so. (14.35-6)
Tagomi and Childan are two characters who do a lot to hide their feelings. And can you blame Childan? When he starts to tell his real feelings, he comes off as a real jerk (see Chapter 7). But we get so caught up in the big lies in this book—all those fake identities and forged antiques—we might miss the little social lies that go on all the time (like answering "fine" when someone asks how you're doing).
Quote #9
I am a mask, concealing the real. Behind me, hidden, actuality goes on, safe from prying eyes. Odd, he thought. Vital sometimes to be merely cardboard front, like carton. Bit of satori there, if I could lay hold of it. Purpose in overall scheme of illusion, could we but fathom. (14.184-5)
After all the deceit he's just seen, Tagomi ends up not being upset about the lies. Rather, as he notes here, lies can be "Vital," can keep the truth safe. Is this the lesson of the book? Or is Tagomi lying to himself to make himself feel better?