Intergenerational Conflict Essay in An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro
There may be generational conflict between the young and the old in any society, but the young have a moral obligation to obey and respect the elderly.
Drawing relevant illustrations from Kazuo Ishiguro’s An Artist of the Floating World, write an essay in support of this statement.
Kazuo Ishiguro's novel An Artist of the Floating World is a poignant tale of generational conflict in post-war Japan. The novel's protagonist, Masuji Ono, is an aging painter who is struggling to come to terms with his country's defeat and the changing values of Japanese society. Ono's children, Noriko and Setsuko, are critical of their father's past and his traditional values. While Ono himself is not without his flaws, he ultimately serves as a reminder of the importance of generational obedience and respect.
One way in which Ono demonstrates his respect for the elderly is by avoiding direct confrontation. When his father burns down his paintings, Ono does not confront him directly, even though he is deeply hurt. Instead, he simply becomes more determined to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. This shows that Ono understands and respects his father's authority, even if he disagrees with his values.
Ono also shows respect for the elderly by being polite and courteous. Even when he is arguing with his children, he always remains respectful of their opinions. This is evident in his relationship with Noriko, who is often critical of him. Ono never retaliates against her criticism, but instead tries to understand her perspective.
In addition to being polite and courteous, Ono also shows respect for the elderly by observing courtesy. When he was a student, he criticized his teacher's paintings. However, he did so in a way that was respectful of his teacher's authority. He did not simply dismiss his teacher's paintings as inferior, but instead tried to offer constructive criticism.
Ono's respect for the elderly is also evident in his relationship with his grandson, Ichiro. Ono and Ichiro share a close bond, and Ono is clearly fond of his grandson. However, Ono never forces his own values on Ichiro. Instead, he encourages him to think for himself and to make his own choices. This shows that Ono respects Ichiro's individuality, even though he is from a different generation.
Finally, Ono also shows respect for the elderly by obeying their wishes. Even though he disagrees with his daughter's decision to not let him give Ichiro a taste of sake, he obeys her wishes. This shows that Ono understands and respects his daughter's authority as a parent.
In conclusion, Kazuo Ishiguro's An Artist of the Floating World provides a compelling case for generational obedience and respect. Even though the novel portrays the generational conflict that can exist between the young and the old, it also shows that it is important for the young to respect the elderly, even if they disagree with their values. Ono's own actions serve as a reminder that the young have a moral obligation to obey and show respect to the elderly in the society.