Temple of the Golden Pavilion Chapter 9

by giving Mizoguchi the money I think the Superior may be hoping that Mizoguchi will make up for his wrong doings and pay the university or perhaps he know Mizoguchi will not turn in the money, thus giving the Superior reason to expel Mizoguchi once and for all. Mizoguchi spends the money because he wants the Superior to expel him sot that he is pushed to set fire to the temple. Mizoguchi's choice to spend the money on a prostitute is kind of like a slap in the face tot the Superior because the Superior spent the temple's money on prostitutes, so Mizoguchi is spending his money in the same fashion in order to mock the Superior. I am not really sure why Mizoguchi feels he must lose his virginity before he destroys the temple, perhaps he feels it is some sort of right of passage into manhood he must complete before his whole world changes. For the first time Mizoguchi is able to be with a woman and not be bothered with thoughts of the temple because he has finally figured out a way to end his torment which gives him a peace of mind. I think Mizoguchi decides to take that book with him to see Mariko because he wants to somehow signal to Mariko what his plans are without flat out telling her. When he accidentally lets his plan slip in front of Mariko she doesn't believe him and perhaps that is why he doesn't go back. Perhaps the Superior really has sympathy for Mizoguchi and he hates the fact that Mizoguchi chose not to live up to his worth. Instead of understanding the Superior's feelings Mizoguchi chooses to ignore the possibility that his Superior really cares about him and uses this thought to further fuel his reasons for burning the temple.