WORKSHEET| 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. For background reading visit this site. An Artist of the Floating World - Kazuo Ishiguro
Note : The purpose of doing a worksheet is to contribute to a deeper understanding of the novel and its thematic complexities. That means answers generated by AI, like this blog, are written with the help of resources such as Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, or Copilot, to assist in answering questions or generating ideas as needed. Students are learning here to work with these resources to make their learning more effective.
Match the following:
Match the following items related to Kazuo Ishiguro with their descriptions.
Sir Kazuo Ishiguro : British novelist of Japanese origin, born in Nagasaki, Japan.
Novelist known for : his lyrical tales of regret fused with subtle optimism.
Regret fused with subtle optimism : A narrative style that deals with memories and nostalgia of the past, often leading to regret for one's past deeds.
The Nobel Committee remarked : Uncovering the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world.
S. Naipaul (born August 17, 1932, Trinidad—died August 11, 2018, London, England) Trinidadian writer of Indian descent known for his pessimistic novels set in developing countries.V. S. Naipaul is also the author of a number of works of non-fiction, including three books about India: An Area of Darkness (1964), India: A Wounded Civilization (1977), India: A Million Mutinies Now (1990), and two books about Islamic societies, Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey (1981) and Beyond Belief: Islamic Excursions (1998).
2. What is the book "Good Muslim" about? Also mention the author & country.
The Good Muslim is a novel by Tahmima Anam. This novel is a sequel to her debut novel A Golden Age and spans the years 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.
3. What is "The Lowland" about?
The Lowland is a tale of Udayan and Subhash Mitra who are born just fifteen months apart, but possess starkly different personalities and they encounter futures that are poles apart.The Lowland is the second novel by American author Jhumpa Lahiri, published by Alfred A. Knopf and Random House in 2013.
4. Who is the author of ‘Island of Thousand Mirrors and to which country does s/he belongs to?
Nayomi Munaweera is a Sri Lankan American writer and author of Island of a Thousand Mirrors, which won Commonwealth Book Prize for the Asian Region in 2013, and What Lies Between Us (2016), which won the Sri Lankan National Book Award for best English novel and the Godage Award.
5. Explain the significance of the title of the novel ‘An Artist of the Floating World’ in a few words:
The title also refers to an artistic genre. Ono's master is especially interested in depicting scenes from the pleasure district adjacent to the villa in which he and his students live. Ono mentions the ephemeral nature of the floating world that could be experienced during each night.
Worksheet-2 | An Artist of the Floating World
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 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: _______________________.
Masuji Ono to Saito Family
(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:
Mastuda to Masuji Ono
(C) "Was Mr Naguchi like Oji?" --- Oji, why did Mr Naguchi kill himself?". Speaker: _______ to ______. (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 ________________.
Ichiro to Masuji Ono
2. Explain this painting: [Keywords to search about it in novel – ‘Complacency’, ‘Eyes to the Horizon’.]
This striking painting presents an allegorical scene rich in symbolism. At the center is a striking skeletal figure draped in tattered red cloth, representing mortality or life's fragility. Its penetrating gaze and outstretched bony fingers seem to beckon the observer. Surrounding this central figure are lush, overgrown vegetation and exotic blossoms, suggesting the paradoxical coexistence of life and death in nature's cycles.
The keywords "Complacency" and "Eyes to the Horizon" hint that this work may carry a warning against becoming complacent or losing sight of one's ambitions and aspirations in life. The vibrant natural imagery could represent the intoxicating forces of complacency enveloping an individual soul. However, the skeleton's posture and stare imply a call to keep one's metaphorical "eyes on the horizon," remaining vigilant against life's trappings.
Overall, this richly symbolic painting invites deep contemplation on profound themes - the human condition's transient nature, the perils of complacency or losing one's drive, and the importance of maintaining perspective amid life's complexities. Its arresting imagery and latent meaning leave a lasting, thought-provoking impression. Clude AI
This response was by Clude AI.
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?
As Ono addresses himself or imagines conversations with others using "you," it serves as a tool for both self-reflection and self-deception.
1. Self-reflection: Ono's use of "you" allows him to engage in introspection and confront his past actions and beliefs. By addressing himself in the second person, he creates a psychological distance that enables him to evaluate his behavior more objectively. This introspection can lead to moments of insight and self-awareness, as Ono grapples with his role in promoting militarism and the consequences of his actions.
2. Self-deception: Conversely, Ono's use of "you" can also be a form of evasion or rationalization. He may employ this narrative device to deflect responsibility or justify his choices, presenting himself in a more favorable light. By addressing himself as "you," Ono may attempt to disassociate from his past actions or downplay their significance, thereby avoiding accountability for his role in Japan's militaristic past.
3.Ambiguity and deception: The use of "you" introduces ambiguity into Ono's narrative, blurring the line between his internal reflections and external reality. It becomes unclear whether Ono is addressing himself, speaking to others in his imagination, or distorting the truth to suit his own purposes. This ambiguity reflects the broader theme of unreliable narration in the novel, inviting readers to question the veracity of Ono's account and consider the gaps between perception and reality.
Overall, the significance of "you" in "An Artist of the Floating World" lies in its multifaceted role as a narrative device. It serves as a vehicle for self-reflection, self-deception, and ambiguity, contributing to the complexity of Ono's character and the exploration of themes related to memory, identity, and truth.
4. What do you understand about ‘Unreliable Narrator’ ?
An unreliable narrator is a narrative technique where the narrator's credibility or trustworthiness is compromised, either intentionally or unintentionally, leading the reader to question the accuracy or truthfulness of the story being told. Unreliable narrators can distort facts, misinterpret events, or manipulate the reader's perception, often to serve a specific narrative purpose or to explore themes related to perspective, subjectivity, and the nature of truth.
Nick Carraway in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby"
Humbert Humbert in Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita"
Edgar Allan Poe's Narrators in various short stories
Masuji Ono in "An Artist of the Floating World" is an unreliable narrator due to his subjective interpretation of events, selective memory, and tendency to rationalize his past actions. He presents himself in a favorable light, downplaying his role in propagating nationalist propaganda during WWII and omitting details that contradict his self-image. Readers are prompted to question the accuracy of his narrative and consider alternative perspectives, contributing to the exploration of themes like memory and identity.
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]
This blog is written with the help of resources such as Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, or Copilot to assist in answering questions or generating ideas as needed.
Thank You.
References : Clude AI
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