When we look at how characters are shown in both modern and traditional Japanese stories, we can see some important differences:

1. Complexity:

   • In older literature, like The Tale of Genji, characters often represent traditional values and ideas.
   • In newer works, such as Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood, characters are more complicated. They deal with their own identities and the big questions of life.

2. Perspective:

   • Traditional stories usually show a wider view that reflects community values and beliefs.
   • Modern stories often focus more on individual experiences and what’s going on inside people’s heads.

3. Cultural Context:

   • Characters in traditional stories reflect old customs and social roles that were important in the past.
   • In modern stories, characters push back against these old ideas, showing how society has changed.

These differences help us see how character representation has changed over time, giving us a deeper appreciation of Japanese literature.