An Artist of the Floating World
This blog is part of the Thinking activity task of the worksheet of The Artist of the Floating World.
Worksheet 1.1: Author and title
Match the following:
Match the following items related to Kazuo Ishiguro with their descriptions.
Match the following items related to Kazuo Ishiguro with their descriptions.
1)Who is V S Naipaul,and what is he known for ?
V. S. Naipaul, full name Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul, was a Trinidadian-British writer of Indian descent. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2001.
Naipaul is known for his novels, essays, and travelogues exploring themes of colonialism, identity, and post-colonialism. Some of his notable works include "A House for Mr Biswas," "A Bend in the River," and "The Enigma of Arrival." He's also recognized for his distinctive prose style and incisive observations of human behavior and cultural complexities.
2. What is the book "Good Muslim" about? Also mention the author & country.
The book "Good Muslim" is a novel written by Tahmima Anam, who is from Bangladesh. It explores the aftermath of Bangladesh's war for independence through the lives of its characters, examining themes of identity, religion, and political upheaval.
3. What is "The Lowland" about?
"The Lowland" is a novel written by Jhumpa Lahiri, an American author of Indian descent. It tells the story of two brothers from Calcutta, Subhash and Udayan, whose lives take dramatically different paths. Set against the backdrop of India's Naxalite movement, the novel explores themes of family, identity, love, and sacrifice.
4. Who is the author of ‘Island of Thousand Mirrors and to which country does s/he belongs to?
The author of "Island of a Thousand Mirrors" is Nayomi Munaweera, who is from Sri Lanka.
5. Explain the significance of the title of the novel ‘An Artist of the Floating World’ in a few words:
The title "An Artist of the Floating World" suggests the transient nature of life and the protagonist's shifting moral perspectives, mirroring Japan's post-war societal changes.
Worksheet:2
1. Explain these quotes: Write context and significance on separate paper.
(A) “As far as I am concerned, I freely admit I made many mistakes. I accept that much of what I did wasultimately harmful to our nation, that mine was part of an influence that resulted in untold suf eringfor our own people. I admit this.” Speaker: ______________________ to:_______________________.
Masuji Ono to Saito Family
(B) "There's a certain kind of artist these days," he went on, "whose greatest talent lies in hiding awayfrom 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 worldis like a child's. I doubt, for instance, if you could even tell me who Karl Marx was."Speaker: ______________________ to: _______________________ .
Mastuda to Masuji Ono
(C) "Was Mr Naguchi like Oji?" --- Oji, why did Mr Naguchi kill himself?". Speaker: _______ to ______.
Ichiro to Masuji Ono
(D) “My conscience, Sensei, tells me I cannot remain forever an artist of the floating world." --- Then hsaid: "As you point out yourself, Ono, these are troubled times. All the more so for a young artist,practically unknown.” Speaker: _______________________ to____________________
Sensei to Ono
2. Explain this painting: [Keywords to search about it in novel – ‘Complacency’, ‘Eyes to the Horizon’.]
This painting is about nationalist propaganda. In the left corner, there are three poverty-stricken children. One has a rifle, another has a sword. He is pointing towards West Asia for war. In the top right, there are three prominent political leaders. At the back, there is a flag of Japan. In the top left, there is the new dawn of New Japan. In Japanese language, it is written "No time for cowardly talking," which means Japan must move forward. No longer is there a backdrop of poverty, but military fame of the rising sun of Japan. And that is how it turned into "Eyes on the Horizon."
3. What is the significance of the word "you" in the novel?
In "An Artist of the Floating World," the use of the word "you" carries significant thematic weight, particularly in relation to the protagonist, Masuji Ono. Throughout the novel, the narrative is framed as Ono addressing an unnamed "you," which can be interpreted in several ways:
Self-reflection and introspection:
Ono's use of "you" may symbolize his internal dialogue, as he reflects on his past actions and their consequences. By addressing himself as "you," he creates a sense of distance, allowing for a more objective assessment of his own behavior and motivations.
Addressing the reader:
The use of "you" could also be interpreted as Ono speaking directly to the reader, inviting them to consider their own role in the narrative. This engages the reader in the process of moral inquiry and self-examination, prompting them to reflect on their own beliefs and values.
Collective responsibility:
Ono's use of "you" may suggest a broader commentary on collective responsibility and the interconnectedness of individuals within society. By addressing the reader as "you," Ono implicates them in the larger social and political context of post-war Japan, highlighting the shared burden of reckoning with the past and shaping the future.
Overall, the significance of the word "you" in the novel underscores themes of self-reflection, moral accountability, and the complex interplay between individual actions and societal norms.
4. What do you understand about ‘Unreliable Narrator’ ?
In "An Artist of the Floating World," Masuji Ono serves as an unreliable narrator, meaning that his perspective on events and characters may be skewed or incomplete. Here are some aspects of Ono's unreliability as a narrator in the novel:
Subjectivity:
Ono's narration is deeply subjective, colored by his own biases, perceptions, and motivations. He presents events and characters through his own lens, which may distort the truth or omit important details that do not align with his worldview.
Self-deception:
Ono is prone to self-deception, particularly when it comes to confronting his past actions and their implications. He rationalizes his involvement with nationalist propaganda during World War II and downplays his role in perpetuating harmful ideologies, which can lead the reader to question the accuracy of his account.
Selective memory:
Ono's memory is selective, and he often remembers events in a way that casts himself in a favorable light or justifies his actions. He may omit or distort details that contradict his desired narrative, leading to an incomplete or biased portrayal of events.Unreliable interpretation: Ono's interpretation of events and characters may be unreliable, as he interprets them according to his own preconceived notions and personal agenda.
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]
Masuji's father views art as a respectable but financially unsustainable pursuit. Master Takeda believes in the importance of traditional Japanese art but prioritizes practicality over artistic ambition. Chisu Matsuda sees art as a tool for promoting nationalist ideals and social cohesion, advocating for artists to align their work with the government's agenda.
Seiji Muriyama, Masuji's former teacher, values art for its ability to challenge societal norms and provoke thought, encouraging Masuji to push artistic boundaries and explore new forms of expression.
6. Which theme according to you is the central theme of the novel? [Just mention the theme. No need to write in detail about it]
The central theme of "An Artist of the Floating World" is the nature of memory and its impact on identity.
Thank you...
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