The Novel An Artist of the Floating World: An Essay on the Consequences of War
‘War is a social evil that should be avoided at all costs owing to its adverse consequences.’ Validate the statement referring to Kazuo Ishuguro’s novel An Artist of the Floating World.
Kazuo Ishiguro's novel An Artist of the Floating World explores the devastating consequences of war on individuals and society as a whole. The novel is set in Japan in the aftermath of World War II, and follows the story of Masuji Ono, a middle-aged artist who struggles to come to terms with the destruction and loss that his country has suffered.
One of the most immediate consequences of war is the loss of life. In An Artist of the Floating World, this is tragically illustrated by the death of Ono's son, Kenji, who is killed in battle while fighting for Japan in Manchuria. The loss of his son is a devastating blow for Ono, and it haunts him throughout the novel.
Another devastating consequence of war is the destruction of property. Ono's own home is damaged in a bombing raid, and he is forced to live in a makeshift shelter with his family. The city around him is also in ruins, with many buildings destroyed and whole neighbourhoods reduced to ashes.
War also leads to a scarcity of goods and services. In An Artist of the Floating World, Ono and his family struggle to find basic necessities such as food, clothing, and medicine. They are also forced to ration their heating and electricity.
In addition to the physical and material destruction that it causes, war also has a profound impact on people's mental and emotional health. Ono is deeply affected by the loss of his son and the destruction of his home city. He feels guilty about his role in the war propaganda that helped to fuel Japanese militarism. He also feels isolated and alienated from his children, who represent a new generation that is eager to move on from the past.
Other characters in the novel are also affected by the war in different ways. For example, the Hiramaya boy, who used to be a popular entertainer, is beaten up after the war for singing war songs. The president of Jiro Miyake's company commits suicide out of shame for his support of the war.
Through the story of Masuji Ono and the other characters in the novel, Ishiguro shows how war can have a devastating impact on individuals and society as a whole. War can lead to the loss of life, the destruction of property, and a scarcity of goods and services. It can also have a profound impact on people's mental and emotional health.
Conclusion
An Artist of the Floating World is a powerful and moving novel that explores the devastating consequences of war. It is a reminder that war is not just about the loss of life, but also about the loss of innocence, hope, and humanity.