“The Artist of the Floating World” is a novel penned by Kazuo Ishiguro, a celebrated British author of Japanese descent. Published in 1986, the novel is set in post-World War II Japan and follows the life of Masuji Ono, an aging artist reflecting on his past and grappling with the cultural and political shifts of his country. Through Ono’s introspection, Ishiguro delves into themes of guilt, responsibility, and the complexities of memory, offering a poignant exploration of personal and national identity amidst a changing society. This blog, assigned by Barad sir, is based on worksheets on “The Artist of the Floating World”.
Worksheet 1
Match the following:-
1. Sir Kazuo Ishiguro - B. British novelist of Japanese origin, born in Nagasaki, Japan.
2. Novelist known for - A. his lyrical tales of regret fused with subtle optimism.
3. Regret fused with subtle optimism - C. A narrative style that deals with memories and nostalgia of the past, often leading to regret for one's past deeds.
4. The Nobel Committee remarked - D. Uncovering the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world.
1. Who is V. S. Naipaul, and what is he known for?
Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul was a Trinidadian-born British writer. He is known for his comic early novels set in Trinidad, his bleaker novels of alienation in the wider world, and his vigilant chronicles of life and travels. He wrote in prose that was widely admired, but his views sometimes aroused controversy. He published more than thirty books over fifty years.
2. What is the book “Good Muslim” about? Also mentions the author and country.
‘The Good Muslim’ is a novel by Tahmima Anam, who is Bangladeshi-born British writer. This novel is a sequel to her debut novel ‘A Golden Age’ and spans the year from 1984 to 1985, with occasional flashbacks to the aftermath of the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. It is a story about faith and family shadowed by a war. The family that has taken active part in the war of independence has now to face the challenges of peace, within and outside.
3. What is “The Lowland” about?
‘The Lowland’ is the second novel by American writer Jhumpa Lahiri. It is a sweeping, ambitious story that examines in intimate detail the intersection of the political and the personal, encompassing nearly 50 years of Indian and American history through the lives of one family. The novel ripples out from the beginnings of the Naxalite uprising in West Bengal in 1967.
4. Who is the author of ‘ Island of Thousand Mirrors’? And to which country does s/he belongs to?
‘Island of Thousand Mirrors’ is written by Nayomi Munaweera. She is a Sri Lankan - American writer.
5. Explain the significance of the title of the novel ‘An Artist of the Floating World’ in a few words.
The novel's title is based on the literal translation of Ukiyo-e, a word referring to the Japanese art depicting the transient pleasures and fleeting nature of life, often associated with the pleasure districts of Edo-period Japan. By identifying Ono as an “artist of the floating world,” the title suggests that he is a participant in this world.
The phrase "floating world" used in the title of the novel, could also mean a changing world. Masuji Ono faces troubles as the world around him changes. He specialised in nationalistic paintings and now has to face problems because of it.
Worksheet 2
1. Explain these quotes: Write context and significance.
"As far as I am concerned, I freely admit I made many mistakes. I accept that much of what I did was ultimately harmful to our nation, that mine was part of an influence that resulted in untold suffering for our own people. I admit this."
Speaker - Masuji Ono
To - Dr. Saito
Context - Masuji Ono says this to acknowledge the nationalist ideology reflected in his paintings.
Significance - This moment is important because it shows that he is thinking about his past actions and the impact they had on others. It’s a way for him to take responsibility for what he did, and to try to make things right.
"There's a certain kind of artist these days," he went on, "whose greatest talent lies in hiding away from the real world. Unfortunately, such artists appear to be in dominance at present, and you, Ono, have come under the sway of one of them. Don't look so angry, it's true. Your knowledge of the world is like a child's. I doubt, for instance, if you could even tell me who Karl Marx was."
Speaker - Matsuda
To - Masuji Ono
Context - Matsuda says this to Ono as they are sitting in a bar in city centre.
Significance - Through statements like these, Matsuda tries to persuade Ono towards political art.
"Was Mr Naguchi like Oji?" --- Oji, why did Mr Naguchi kill himself?".
Speaker - Ichiro
To - Masuji Ono
Context - Ichiro asks these questions after he overheard adults talking about Mr. Naguchi and his suicide.
Significance - Through this conversation, we understand the level of guilt people felt for their role in the war.
“My conscience, Sensei, tells me I cannot remain forever an artist of the floating world." --- Then he said: "As you point out yourself, Ono, these are troubled times. All the more so for a young artist, practically unknown.”
Speaker - Masuji Ono, Morisan
To - Morisan, Masuji Ono
Context - This conversation takes place between Ono and Morisan, when Ono declares that he no longer wants to follow his master’s way of art.
Significance - This conversation presents an interesting parallel. We see a similar kind of diversion of paths when years later, Ono’s student Kuroda decides to be anti-war. We can see the difference between the reactions of Morisan and Ono.
2. Explain this painting.
Complacency:- In this painting, poor children are shown. This painting shows the poverty of his nation. And it marks the first painting done by Ono that is not Ukiyo-e.
Eyes to the Horizon:- This painting is a revised version of the earlier painting. In here, the poor children are transformed into soldiers fighting for their country. This painting marks the beginning of Ono’s career as a nationalist painter.
3. What is the significance of the word “You” in the novel?
Ono’s use of “you” in “An Artist of the Floating World” serves dual purposes: self-reflection and self-deception. Through this narrative device, Ono engages in introspection, confronting his past actions objectively, yet it also allows him to evade accountability by justifying or downplaying his choices. The ambiguity introduced by “you” blurs the line between internal reflection and external reality, inviting readers to question the reliability of Ono’s narrative. Overall, this technique adds complexity to Ono’s character and explores themes of memory, identity, and truth.
4. What do you understand by ‘Unreliable Narrator’?
An unreliable narrator is a character who tells the story but whose credibility is questionable. They may manipulate the narrative or have biases that affect their interpretation of events. Here, Masuji Ono could be considered an unreliable narrator. Throughout the novel, Ono reflects on his past actions and their implications, but his perspective is limited by his own biases and selective memory. He often rationalises his involvement in propaganda art during Japan’s militaristic period, presenting himself in a more favourable light.
However, Ono’s unreliability as a narrator adds depth to the novel and encourages readers to take an active part and critically evaluate his account of events.
According to me, the central theme of the novel "An Artist of the Floating World" is Guilt over past actions.
Words - 1130
Images - 8
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