Hello,
This blog post is a response to a worksheets on An Artist of the Floating World Novel by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Worksheet 1
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. 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?
V.S. Naipaul was a celebrated Trinidadian-British writer and novelist, known for his works that explored the legacy of colonialism and the struggles of people caught between cultures. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001. He is best known for his novels and works of non-fiction that explored the legacies of colonialism, displacement, and the struggles of immigrants and those caught between cultures. Some of his most famous works include "A House for Mr. Biswas," "In a Free State," and the travel narrative "An Area of Darkness" about his experiences in India.
2. What is the book "Good Muslim" about? Also mention the author & country
"The Good Muslim" is a novel by Bangladeshi author Tahmima Anam. It is set in Bangladesh and explores the rise of Islamic fundamentalism through the story of a young woman named Maya Haque, delving into themes of faith, family, and the complexities of life in a changing society.
3. What is "The Lowland" about?
"The Lowland" is a novel by Jhumpa Lahiri, an Indian American author. It's about two brothers in Calcutta - one who gets involved with a radical Naxalite movement and goes underground, and the other who moves to the United States. The book explores the consequences of the brothers' divergent paths over several decades.
4. Who is the author of ‘Island of Thousand Mirrors? ___________ and to which country does s/he belongs to?
The title "An Artist of the Floating World" by Kazuo Ishiguro has a symbolic significance:
"Floating World" refers to the traditional Japanese ukiyo culture of ephemeral pleasures like art, entertainment and earthly pursuits. The "Artist" is the protagonist, a former painter of propaganda art during World War II now adrift in the changed post-war Japanese society.
The title suggests the main character's disconnection from the new reality, still clinging to the fading "floating world" ideals of his youth, while Japan moves forward. It captures his state of being metaphorically afloat and unmoored from the rapidly evolving world around him.
Worksheet 2
1. Explain this quotes
(A) “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: ______________________ to: _______________________.
The quotes is spoken by the protagonist and narrator, Masuji Ono, an aging artist
looking back on his life and career.
In the context of the novel, Ono was a celebrated artist in Japan before and during World War II. He created propagandistic paintings that glorified Japan's militaristic ambitions and nationalist ideals. However, after Japan's defeat, the cultural climate shifted, and Ono's art came to be seen as misguided and even harmful.
The quote represents Ono's admission of guilt and regret for his role in promoting values that "resulted in untold suffering for our own people." He acknowledges that his artwork, which he had taken pride in at the time, was ultimately "harmful to our nation."
The speaker is: Masuji Ono
He is speaking to: His grandson's generation / The younger post-war generation
So in this quote, the elderly Ono is confessing to the younger generation that his artistic works during the war, which he had once taken immense pride in, were ultimately mistakes that contributed to Japan's disastrous path and the suffering of its people. It's a powerful moment of self-reflection and atonement.
(B) "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: ______________________ to: _______________________
This quote is spoken by Masao Miyake to Masuji Ono in the novel "An Artist of the Floating World" by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Speaker: Masao Miyake
To: Masuji Ono
Masao Miyake is a businessman and an acquaintance of Ono's. In this quote, Miyake is criticizing Ono and a certain type of artist that Ono represents.
Miyake accuses these artists of being disconnected from the "real world" and living in a state of ignorance or denial about the harsh realities of society and politics. He suggests that Ono has come under the influence of such an artist who has hidden himself away from the world.
Miyake then directly challenges Ono's knowledge and understanding of the world, doubting if he even knows who Karl Marx was - a clear reference to Ono's lack of awareness or interest in political ideologies and movements that shaped the world.
This quote highlights the central conflict in the novel - Ono's role as a celebrated artist who produced patriotic propaganda art during the war, while remaining blissfully unaware or in denial of the true consequences and suffering caused by the militant nationalism he promoted through his art.
Miyake's words confront Ono with the harsh reality that his insulated existence as an "artist of the floating world" has left him woefully ignorant of the real world and its complexities. It's a critique of artists who remain detached from society and political realities.
(C) "Was Mr Naguchi like Oji?" --- Oji, why did Mr Naguchi kill himself?". Speaker: _______ to ______.
Was Mr Naguchi like Oji?" --- Oji, why did Mr Naguchi kill himself?".
Speaker: Noriko (Ono's daughter-in-law)
To: Ono (Masuji Ono, the protagonist)
In the quote, Noriko, who is Masuji Ono's daughter-in-law, asks him about Mr. Naguchi, one of Ono's former colleagues who committed suicide. First, she asks if Naguchi was similar to someone called "Oji," implying they may have shared certain experiences or mindsets.
Then Noriko directly questions Ono, asking "why did Mr. Naguchi kill himself?" This suggests that like Ono, Naguchi was also an artist who created propaganda art promoting Japanese militarism before and during World War II. His suicide seems to be tied to feelings of guilt, regret or disillusionment after the war's devastating consequences were fully realized.
By probing into Naguchi's tragic end, Noriko, who represents the younger generation, is trying to understand the psychological turmoil faced by older artists like Ono and Naguchi. They had actively propagated the nationalistic ideals that led to war and suffering, and were then forced to grapple with the truth of their misguided role. Noriko seeks insight into Ono's own inner conflicts in coming to terms with his part in promoting militant nationalism through his floating world of art.
(D) “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: _______________________ to _____________________________
Speaker: Kuroda (Ono's former pupil)
To: Ono (Masuji Ono, the protagonist)
In this quote, Kuroda, who was once Ono's pupil and an aspiring artist, is speaking to his former teacher Ono. Kuroda first states that his conscience will not allow him to continue being just an "artist of the floating world" any longer.
The "floating world" here refers to the insular, detached existence that artists like Ono led, creating art disconnected from the harsh realities and consequences of the world around them, especially during the war era.
Kuroda then acknowledges Ono's point that they are living in "troubled times", made even more difficult for a young, relatively unknown artist like himself. This seems to be a reference to the upheaval and societal changes in post-war Japan that artists had to grapple with.
By saying he cannot remain an "artist of the floating world", Kuroda is rejecting the concept of creating art divorced from societal and political contexts. As a young artist, he feels compelled to engage with the troubling realities of his time instead of retreating into an insular artistic existence like Ono did before the war.
2. Explain this painting: [Keywords to search about it in novel – ‘Complacency’, ‘Eyes to the Horizon’.]
This emotionally charged, allegorical painting seems rich in symbolism speaking to profound existential themes about the human condition.
At the center is a striking skeletal figure draped in tattered red cloth, which could represent mortality, life's fragility, or the transient nature of physical existence. Surrounding it are distorted, anguished faces and forms emerging from a chaotic vortex of swirling brushwork.
This could symbolize the perils of complacency - of being consumed by life's complexities and losing perspective amidst turmoil. The vibrant but dissonant colors and convulsive energy evoke suffering, struggle, and the loss of individual identity when one loses their moral compass or drive.
However, the skeletal motif also suggests an opportunity for rebirth or transformed perspectives after metaphorically stripping away inessential trappings. The red cloth draping the central figure recalls sacrifice or passion as pathways to enlightenment.
Overall, this turbulent allegorical scene uses visceral, unsettling imagery to confront the viewer with the importance of maintaining purpose and perspective amid life's cyclical patterns of complacency, turmoil and renewal. It's a powerful symbolic reminder to remain grounded in what's essential despite the entropic forces that can disorient us from our core truths and values.
3. What is the significance of the word "you" in the novel?
In Kazuo Ishiguro's novel "An Artist of the Floating World," the use of the word "you" holds significant thematic and narrative implications. The story is narrated in the first person by the protagonist, Masuji Ono, an aging painter reflecting on his life and career in post-World War II Japan. Throughout the novel, Masuji frequently addresses an unnamed listener, often using the second-person pronoun "you."
The significance of the word "you" lies in its ambiguity and its function as a narrative device. By addressing an unidentified "you," Masuji creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy in his narration, drawing the reader into his confessional tone. This technique allows readers to feel as though they are personally engaged in a conversation with Masuji, prompting them to reflect on their own values, judgments, and perspectives.
Furthermore, the use of "you" underscores the novel's exploration of guilt, responsibility, and memory. As Masuji recounts his past actions and their consequences, his address to the listener implicates them in his reflections, inviting readers to consider their own culpability and complicity. The ambiguity of "you" also mirrors Masuji's own uncertainty about his past decisions and their impact on others, as well as the broader ethical dilemmas facing post-war Japanese society.
4. What do you understand by ‘Unreliable Narrator’?
An "unreliable narrator" is a character in a story who tells the reader what's happening, but the reader can't completely trust them. This can happen because the narrator might be lying, mistaken, forgetful, or have a biased point of view. Basically, what they say might not be true or accurate.
Basically, they don't give the whole truth, either because they can't or because they choose not to. This can add mystery and complexity to the story because readers have to figure out what's really going on by looking at the narrator's words and actions more closely.
5. The Art and the Artist: How is this concept explored in the novel? [Key: How Masuji’s father, Master Takeda - a business owner, Chisu Mastuda – a nationalist friend and Seiji Muriyama - teacher consider the role of art? Mention it in a few words. Do not write lengthy answer]
In "An Artist of the Floating World" by Kazuo Ishiguro, the concept of "the art and the artist" is explored through the perspectives of various characters:
Master Takeda (Masuji's father): As a pragmatic business owner, he viewed art as a means to make a living and gain social status, rather than for its intrinsic value.
Chisu Matsuda: As a nationalist, he believed art should serve propaganda purposes and promote patriotic ideals.
Seiji Miyake (Masuji's teacher): He held a more traditional view, seeing art as a means of self-expression and cultural preservation.
The novel explores the tensions between these contrasting perspectives and how they shaped Masuji's own understanding of his role as an artist during a turbulent period in Japanese history.
6. Which theme according to you is the central theme of the novel?
The central theme is the conflict betweenArtistic integrity and societal/political pressures.
Note: This answers is generated with the help of AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini.
References:-
ChatGPT, https://chat.openai.com/Accessed 21 March 2024.
Claude
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