Within the pages of A Pale View of Hills, Etsuko stands at the forefront as our narrator, yet she remains intriguingly elusive. Her presence is more understated than dramatic, leaving us with only the skeletal outline of her life story. In stark contrast, the characters Sachiko and Mariko emerge with vivid clarity. Sachiko defies the traditional Japanese expectations for women, boldly shunning the refuge of her uncle's home and concocting plans to whisk Mariko away to the shores of America. "Japan is no place for a girl," she asserts to Etsuko, her defiance palpable.

In the backdrop, Etsuko's first husband, Jiro, epitomizes the modern archetype of a Japanese corporate warrior. His demeanor is one of stoic detachment, and he regards his father, Ogata, with a barely concealed disdain. Although Etsuko outwardly professes contentment with Jiro, the hollowness of their emotional connection casts a shadow, making it easy to understand her yearning to escape their lifeless union.