Mod B – An Artist of the Floating World – Essay

Resource Description

Investigate the relationship between Ono and his father in Kazuo Ishiguro’s  novel ​An Artist of the Floating World.

Intro:Kazuo Ishiguro’s interest in relationships is at the forefront of his novel, ​An Artist of  the Floating World​. Masuji Ono, the protagonist, narrates memories spanning his  artistic aspirations, work as a propaganda artist and retirement. As he reflects on  interactions both recent and from years ago, one particular relationship is of interest.  Ono’s uncomfortable interaction with his father is marked by aloofness, subtle  dialogue and pressuring expectations. Through Ono, Ishiguro portrays behaviour  that imitates and responds to these interactions, demonstrating the formative effect  past relationships can have on a person’s present.

Ono’s father is reserved, even aloof – much like Ono. This is evident in his response to Ono’s artistic aspirations: ‘I’ve heard a curious thing from your mother.’ He expresses himself in a conservative manner to begin with, concealing the aversion that only surfaces as he comes to realise that Ono’s ambitions may be serious. It is worthwhile to note that he receives this news from his wife, not from Ono himself. Perhaps his ignorance is due to a lack of communication with his son; perhaps Ono withheld the information out of fear. If the latter, this would be justified. Ono’s father considers professional painting ‘a curious thing’. The adjective suggests that he does not consider it valuable, a suggestion confirmed by his later words. In the absence of dialogue between Ono and his father, Ono’s mother has to take on the role of communicator. As Ono narrates past events though, there is no other voice to provide missing information or a differing opinion. There is an obscurity to Ono’s story reminiscent of the father character. Ono decides not to ‘worry Noriko with details’ about his efforts concerning her marriage negotiations. It is similar to his omission to inform the reader of the emotions he must have suffered when his father burnt his paintings. The lack of communication modelled in his childhood is partially continued by Ono. This parallel suggests that his father has influenced him.