By: Sarah Johnson "Patriotism" An egotist, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is one devoted to his or her own interests and advancement. Everyone is an egotist in one way or another. Even when a person commits the most selfless acts of altruism, the act usually benefits the person in one way or another. Humanity is not, by nature, altruistic; humanity is, by nature, egocentric. This is evident in Yukio Mishima's "Patriotism" with the main characters, Reiko and Shinji. People are egotistical in the choices they often make: choosing friendship over patriotism, choosing to trust a spouse, and choosing one's personal freedom. The patriotism one feels for his or her