Kobe Shoin Women’s University Repository
Title
The Revelation of Character in Kazuo Ishiguro's 'The
Remains of the Day' and 'An Artist of the Floating
World'
Author(s)
Peter J.
Mallett
Citation
Shoin Literary Review，No.29：1-20
Issue Date
1996
Resource Type
Bulletin Paper / 紀要論文
Resource Version
URL
Right
ず
TheRevelationofCharacterinKazuo
Ishiguro's`TheRemainsoftheDay'and
`A
nArtistoftheFloatingWorld'
PeterJ.Mallett
Inhisnovels,`TheRemainsoftheDay'and`AnArtistoftheFloating
World',KazuoIshiguroemploysanagingnarratortotellthestory.
Bothlookbackovertheircareers,atfirstwithsomesatisfaction,and
thenwithmoretruthfulness.Though`AnArtistoftheFloatingWorld'
issetinJapanand`TheRemainsoftheDay'inEngland,andthough
bothhaveanatmosphereauthentictotheirsetting,thecharacterin
eachisessentiallythesame:amaninlatermiddleagetryingtojustify
thelifehehasled.ThispaperwilldiscussthetechniqueIshigurouses
torevealthecharacterofhisnarratorineachnovel.
Intheeighteenthcenturytherewasarevoltagainstformalityand
symmetryinlandscapegardens,ledbyphilosophersandmenoflitera-turelikeAlexanderPope,whogavethefollowingadvicetogarden
planners
Letnoteachbeautyeverywherebespied
Whenhalftheskillisdecentlytohide.
Hegainsallpointswhopleasinglyconfounds,
Surprises,varies,andconcealsthebounds.
(EpistleIV)
ThisnewaestheticforgardendesigninEnglandissimilartowhatis
foundinatraditionalJapanesegardenwithitswindingpathtakingthe
visitoronacarefullyplannedwalk,revealingalittleofitsbeautyata
time‐verymuchinamannerthatwouldhavepleasedPape
.This..
seemstobeafeatureofJapanesecultureingeneral:thewholeisnot
presentedatfirstviewing.Intraditionalarchitecture,thehouseis
surroundedbyawall,andentryisthroughatallgate.Onceinsidethe
house,slidingscreensoffertantalizingglimpses,butneverapanorama
.
Evenafoldingscreenmeansthatthewholescenehastobeviewedfrom
differentperspectives.ThisisverydifferentfromaWesternideaof
presentingeverythingonagrandscaletobeviewedallatonce.
ThenovelistKazuoIshigurobringsauniqueculturalbackgroundto
hiswriting.BorninNagasaki,hemovedtoEnglandattheageoffive
anddidnotreturntovisitthecountryofhisbirthuntil28yearslater
.
IshigurohassaidthatheknowsverylittleaboutJapaneseculture
,
admittingthathereadscontemporaryJapanesefictiononlyintransla-tionandthatheisasbaffledasaWesternreaderbymuchofitandby
howheissupposedtoreact.'(Hisfirstthreenovelsdo,however
,share
withJapanesenovelsalackofplotwhichIshigurohasadmittedthathe
isnotveryinterestedinbecausehefindsitrestrictive.2)Furthermore
heclaimsthatheis"dismayed"atthewayhisbookshavebeenreceived
inBritainasprovidinganinsightintoJapan
,sayingthathedoesnot
writeaboutJapan,butusesitandtheperiodasasettingforhis
themes.3ThoughhemaynotwriteaboutJapan
,thetechniqueheuses
is,Isuspect,inheritedfrontJapaneseculture:theway
,asdiscussed
above,thatthewholeisnotpresentedatfirstviewing
.Thisishow
Ishiguropresentshisnarrators,in`AnArtistoftheFloatingWorld'and
'TheRemainsoftheDa
y',revealingtheircharactersgraduallytous.
TheantithesisofhistechniquecanbeseeninJaneAusten'sintroduc-
tionofSirWalterElliotintheopeningpagesof`Persuasion'‐admit-tedlyathirdpersondescriptioninanovelofaverydifferentperiod
-2一
VanitywasthebeginningandtheendofSirWalterElliot'scharacter; vanityofpersonandofsituation.Hehadbeenremarkablyhandsome inhisyouth;andatfifty-four,wasstillaveryfineman.Fewwomen couldthinkmoreoftheirpersonalappearancethanhedid;norcould thevaletofanynewmadelordbemoredelightedwiththeplacehe heldinsociety.Heconsideredtheblessingofbeautyasinferioronly totheblessingofabaronetcy;andtheSirWalterElliot,whounited thesegifts,wastheconstantobjectofhiswarmestrespectanddevo-tion. (Persuasion,Ch1) ThatisallweneedtoknowaboutSirWalter;thatisallthereisto know.,baneAustenrevealsall,guidingusinhowtojudgehimand respondtohim,and,aswereadthenovel,thereisnothingabouthim thatsurprisesus.Nothingcouldbemoredifferentfromthewayin whichIshiguropresentsthebutler,Stevens,tousin`TheRemainsof theDay'. Onfirstappearance,Stevensisnotaverysympatheticcharacter. TheveryBritishstiffupperliphealwaysmaintainsinhispursuitof `dignity'makeshimappearpompous;hislackofhumour ‐asshown inhispatheticattemptstoentertainhisnewemployerwith`banter'‐ ascoldanddull.Butourfeelingstowardshimchangeaswelearnthe truthabouthislife‐andhowithasbeenwasted. Asthenovelopens,Stevensisabouttoembarkonajourney.Hedoes notrevealthetruereasonforthisjourney(thatheisalonelymanin latermiddleagewhowantstotryagainwiththewomanwhoonce lovedhim),claimingthatitisfor`work'‐tosolvehisstaffing problems(inthisheissoJapanese!‐hecouldnodgoonatrippurely forpleasure,buthastohavea〃aokuteki,orpurpose): Thefactthatmyattitudetothissamesuggestionunderwentachange overthefollowingdays‐indeed,thatthenotionofatriptotheWest Countrytookanever-increasingholdonmythoughts‐isnodoubt
substantiallyattributableto‐andwhyshouldIhideit?‐thearrival ofMissKenton'sletter...Butletmemakeitimmediatelyclear whatImeanbythis;whatImeantosayisthatMissKenton'sletter setoffacertainchainofideastodowithprofessionalmattershereat DarlingtonHall... (p.4-5) Sowhenhisemployerironicallyasitturnsout‐referstothe possibilityofStevenshavingromanticthoughtsintapingthetrip,heis quicktodefendhimself Inanycase,MrFarradayseizedtheopportunitytogrinbroadlyatme andsaywithsomedeliberation `My ,my,Stevens.Alady-friend.Andatyourage.' Thiswasamostembarrassingsituation NaturallyIfeltthetemptationtodenyimmediatelyand unambiguouslysuchmotivationsasmyemployerwasimputingto me...
CA.14)
Itisthisjourneywhichprovidesthestructureforthenovelandthe
walkthroughagardenis,therefore,aparticularlyappropriatemeta-phor,becauseateachturnintheroadwearepresentedwithanew
view,allbuildinguptoourfullunderstandingofthewhole.Stevenshas
nottravelledmuchbeyondtheconfinesofDarlingtonHallduringhis
Iifeandthisphysicaltripisalsotobeamentalandemotionaljourney
duringwhichheistodiscoverandrevealthingsabouthimself‐ashe
realizeshimselflaterinthenovel
AsIsay,Ihaveneverinalltheseyearsthoughtofthematterinquite
thisway;butthenitisperhapsinthenatureofcomingawayonatrip
suchasthisthatoneispromptedtowardssuchsurprisingnewperspec-
tivesontopicsoneimaginesonehadlongagothoughtthroughthor-oughly.
CA.--7)
Ashesetsoutonthejourney,leavingbehindallthatisfamiliar,he
-4一
isanxiousaboutwhathemightfind ButtheneventuallythesurroundingsgrewunrecognizableandIknew thatIhadgonebeyondallpreviousboundaries.Ihaveheardpeople describethemoment,whensettingsailinaship,whenonefinallyloses sightoftheland.Iimaginetheexperienceofuneasemixedwith exhilarationoftendescribedinconnectionwiththismomentisvery similartowhatIfeltintheFordasthesurroundingsgrewstrange aroundme....ThefeelingsweptovermethatIhadtrulyleftDarling-tonHallbehind,andImustconfessIdidfeelaslightsenseofalarm ‐asenseaggravatedbythefeelingthatIwasperhapsnotonthe correctroadatall,butspeedingoffintotallythewrongdirectioninto awilderness. (p.23-24} TherevelationofSteven'scharactercomesaboutgraduallybecause hehasputupafacadeforsolong.Hehaspreservedhisdignityatall timesandneverbetrayedhisemotions.ItisMissKentonwhoobserves thisinhim `Why ,MrStevens,why,why,whydoyoualwayshavetopretend?' (p.154) Thisisagoodpoint,anditbecomesnoticeablethatpretence,far fromjustbeingforprofessionalpurposes,isanessentialpartof Stevens'character.Itreachesitsclimaxinthescenewherehehasto stopforanightunexpectedlyinavillageduetothecarbreakingdown andismistakenfora`gentleman'.Stevensdoesnotenlightenthe assembledcompanyonhistrueidentity. Sowhydoeshepretend?Whatishehiding?Thisisrevealed graduallytoo.WhatwelearnaboutLordDarlingtonreflectson Stevensandaltersouropinionofhim.Stevensdescribeshisformer employerasa`great'man,onewhohasalteredthecourseofhistory . ButashedropsinremarksaboutLordDarlington,andotherpeople's reactionstohim,webegintodoubtthesortofamanhereallywas.The
firstoftheseisonp.73 Andwhentodayonehearstalkabouthislordship,whenonehearsthe sortoffoolishspeculationsconcerninghismotivesasonedoesalltoo frequentlythesedays,Iampleasedtorecallthememoryofthat momentashespokethoseheartfeltwordsinthenear-emptybanquet-inghall.Whatevercomplicationsaroseinhislordship'scourseover subsequentyears,Iforonewillneverdoubtthatadesiretosee`justice inthisworld'layattheheartofallhisactions.' {p.73) Another50pagespassbeforewearegivensomemorehints Thenhisvoicechangednoticeablyasheinquired:`Youmeanyou actuallyusedtoworkforthatLordDarlington?'... 'Ohno ,IamemployedbyMrJohnFarraday,theAmericangentle-manwhoboughtthehousefromtheDarlingtonfamily.' (p.120) Then,loweringhervoice,MrsWakefieldhadsaid:`Buttellme, Stevens,whatvasthisLordDarlingtonlike?Presumablyyoumust haveworkedforhim.' 'Ididn't ,madam,no.' (p.123) Onbothoccasions,Stevenslies--hepretendsthatheneverworked forLordDarlington.Heattemptstojustifythisandtodefendhis employer,butbynowthedamagehasbeendoneandwehavelostfaith inLordDarlingtonasthegreatmanStevenssodesperatelywantsusto believehimtohavebeen Ofcourse,therearemanypeoplethesedayswhohavealotoffoolish thingstosayaboutLordDarlington,anditmaybethatyouareunder theimpressionIamsomehowembarrassedorashamedofmyassocia-tionwithhislordship,anditisthisthatliesbehindsuchconduct.Then letmemakeitclearthatnothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruth.The greatmajorityofwhatonehearssaidabouthislordshiptodayis,in anycase,utternonsense,basedonanalmostcompleteignoranceofthe facts.Indeed,itseemstomethatmyoddconductcanbeveryplausibly explainedintermsofmywishtoavoidanyossibilitofhearinanv ‐s‐
furthersuchnonsenseconcerninghislordship;thatistosay,Ihave chosentotellwhiteliesinbothinstancesasthesimplestmeansof avoidingunpleasantness.Thisdoesseemaveryplausibleexplanation themoreIthinkaboutit,forititistrue,nothingvexesmemorethese daysthantohearthissortofnonsensebeingrepeated.Letmesaythat LordDarlingtonwasagentlemanofgreatmoralstature‐astature todwarfmostofthesepersonsyouwillfindtalkingthissortof nonsenseabouthimandIwillreadilyvouchthatheremainedthat tothelast.Nothingcouldbelessaccuratethantosuggestthatlregret myassociationwithsuchagentleman.Indeed,youwillappreciate thattohaveservedhislordshipatDarlingtonHallduringthoseyears wastocomeasclosetothehubofthisworld'swheelasonesuchas Icouldeverhavedreamt.Igavethirty-fiveyears'servicetoLord Darlington;onewouldsurelynotbeunjustifiedinclaimingthat duringthoseyears,onewas,inthetruestterms,`attachedtoadisting-uishedhousehold'.Inlookingbackovermycareerthusfar,mychief satisfactionderivesfromwhatIachievedduringthoseyears,andIam todaynothingbutproudandgratefultohavebeengivensucha privilege. (p.125-6) Asthestoryprogresses,welearnthatDarlingtonwasamisguided Nazisympathizerwhowaseasilybeguiledbythefascistsintoaccept-ingtheiranti-Jewishsentimentssothatheevendismissedthetwo Jewishrefugeeservantsinhisemploy,thoughhelateradmitsthathe waswrongonthispoint.Stevenshasavoidedhearing`nonsensecon-cerninghislordship'becausehewasintheserviceofthatmanfor thirty-fiveyears:hiswholelifeonlyhasanymeaningintheworkhe hasperformedforhim.Itisthereforeessentialforhimtoremember Darlington,untruthfully,asa`gentlemanofgreatmoralstature'andthe householdashavingbeen`distinguished'. Stevenshasearlierdiscussedwhatitmeanstobea`great'butler,and itisentirelydependent,inhisview,onhavingworkedinagreat
household ...Ibelieveitmaywellbetruetosayitisaprerequisiteofgreatness thatone`beattachedtoadistinguishedhousehold' (p.113) A`great'butlercanonlybe,surely,onewhocanpointtohisyearsof serviceandsaythathehasappliedhistalentstoservingagreat gentleman‐andthroughthelatter,toservinghumanity. (p.117) Stevensspendsmuchofthebooktryingtopersuadeus,andconvince himself,thathewas,thoughnotquitetheequal,atleastinthesame moldas"the`great'butlersofourgeneration,suchasMrMarshallor MrLane,"whomhesogreatlyadmires.Wecanonlybelievethisifwe acceptthatheworkedinagreathousehold.Therearetwoclimaxesin Stevens'career.ThefirstistheinternationalconferenceatDarlington Haliin1923,anditisonthenightofthefinaldinnerthatStevens believesheachievedthe`dignity'onlyshownbythegreatestbutlers Evenso,ifyouconsiderthepressurecontingentonmethatnight,you maynotthinkIdeludemyselfundulyifIgosofarastosuggestthat Ididperhapsdisplay,inthefaceofeverything,atleastinsomemodest degreea'dignity'worthyofsomeonelikeMrMarshall‐orcometo that,myfather.Indeed,whyshouldIdenyit?Forallitssad associations,wheneverIrecallthateveningtoday,IfindIdosowith alargesenseoftriumph. cp.lia) ThisisthenightthatStevens'fatherdies,whileStevensI5busy attendingtotheforeignguests,believingthathisfather"wouldhave wishedmetocarryonjustnow."(p.106}.Helosesonthisnightthe onlylivingrelativeheevermentionsandsohehastobelievethatthis dinnerwasconsequential,that,ashehadpointedouttothestaff "Historycouldwellbemadeunderthisroof ."(p.77).LordDarlington hadwarnedthatwhathappenedinthehousemighthave"...consider--8一
ablerepercussions.OnthewholecourseEuropeistaking."(p.62). But,infact,theconferencecomestonothing,thecourseofhistoryis notalteredandLordDarlingtonisprovedtobethe`amateur'thatthe Americansenator,MrLewishasdeclaredhim.Stevensallowsthe readertoseethis,buthegoesonpretending. Thesecondclimaxisthesecretmeetingonenightsomeyearslater betweenLordDarlington,thePrimeMinister,theForeignSecretary andtheGermanAmbassador.Stevensalsoremembersthisevening withsatisfaction WhowoulddoubtatthatmomentthatIhadindeedcomeascloseto thegreathubofthingsasanybutlercouldwish?Iwouldsuppose, then,thatasIstoodthereponderingtheeventsoftheevening‐those thathadunfoldedandthosestillintheprocessofdoingso‐they appearedtomeasortofsummaryofallthatIhadcometoachieve thusfarinmylife.Icanseefewotherexplanationsforthatsenseof triumphIcametobeupliftedbythatnight. (p.227-8) AnditisonthisnightthatMissKentongetsengagedandhandsinher noticetoStevens.Thus,duringthissecond`triumph'ofhiscareer,he losestheonlyotherpersonwhohasanythingmorethanaprofessional interestinhim‐apersonforwhomhetoohasmorethanaprofes-sionalinterest,thoughhedoesnotadmitit,andperhapsdoesnoteven realizeitatthismoment. Stevenshasafearofbetrayinganyemotion.Hewillnotallow anyonetoseethatthereisachinkintheprofessionalarmourhe inhabits,thathetoohasemotionalneeds.WhenMissKentondiscovers himreadingaromance,hepretendstousthathisonlyreasonfor readingthebookisthatitwas`anextremelyefficientwaytomaintain anddevelopone'scommandoftheEnglishlanguage.'(p.167).He believesthata'butlerofanyqualitymustbeseentoinhabithisrole,
utterlyandfully;hecannotbeseencastingitasideonemomentsimply todonitagainthenextasthoughitwerenothingmorethanapanto- mimecostume.'(p.169).Partofthisroleisthathemustshow`emo-tionalrestraint'atalltimes.Stevenshasearliertoldusthatonlythe Englisharecapableofbeingbutlersbecauseonlytheypossessthis quality Continentalsareunabletobebutlersbecausetheyareasabreed incapableoftheemotionalrestraintwhichonlytheEnglishraceare capableof. (p.43) Whetherhisjobisthereasonforhis`emotionalrestraint'orwhether itisjustaconvenientexcuseforamanwhodoesnotwanttoallow anyonetoseehisvulnerability,Stevenslosesthewomanwholaveshim becauseofit. StevensdoesnotmeetMissKenton,nowMrsBenn ,foranother twentyyears.Hehasgonetofindhertofillhisstaffshortage ,denying thathispurposesareanythingotherthanprofessionalanddeluding himselfthatshewouldbegladtoreturntoDarlingtonHall Itisofcoursetragicthathermarriageisnowendinginfailure .Atthis verymoment,nodoubt,sheisponderingwithregretdecisionsmadein thefar-offpastthathavenowlefther,deepinmiddleage ,soaloneand desolate.Anditiseasytoseehowinsuchaframeofmind,thethought ofreturningtoDarlingtonHallwouldbeagreatcomforttoher . (P.48} Hefindsthathermarriageisnottragically`endinginfailure'and departsfromherrealizingthatitisthedecisionshemadethathaveleft him`soaloneanddesolate'.MrsBenn,whohadgivensomanyhints whenworkingatDarlingtonHallofherfeelingstowardsStevens , admitsthatshewouldhavelikedtospendherlifewithhim .Finally Stevensstopspretendingandtellsusthetruth -10一
'Butthatdoesn'tmeantosay ,ofcourse,therearen'toccasionsnow andthen‐extremelydesolateoccasions‐whenyouthinktoyour-self:"WhataterriblemistakeI'vemadewithmylife.Andyougetto thinkingaboutadifferentlife,abetterlifeyoumighthavehad.For instance,IgettothinkingaboutalifeImayhavehadwithyou,Mr Stevens...' ...IdonotthinkIrespondedimmediately,forittookmea momentortwotofullydigestthesewordsofMissKenton.Moreover, asyoumightappreciate,theirimplicationsweresuchastoprovokea certaindegreeofsorrowwithinme.Indeed-一 一whyshouldInotadmit it?‐atthatmoment,myheartwasbreaking. (p.239) Attheendofthisjourney,Stevenshasrealizedthatitistoolate‐ toolatetochangethingsandmakeamendsforhiswastedIife.He admitsthetruthabouthisemployer,too.Andaswelearnthetruth,our impressionsofStevensasapompousandsomewhatcomicfigureare changed.Hebecomesatragicfigure‐notintheGreeksense,butlike ArthurMiller'sWillyLomaninhismodern-daytragedy`Deathofa Salesman',alittlemanwhosetragedyisthathecannotattaingrandeur inescapefromtheordinarinessofreality `LordDarlingtonwasn'tabadman .Hewasn'tabadmanatall.And atleasthehadtheprivilegeofbeingabletosayattheendofhislife thathemadehisownmistakes.Hislordshipwasacourageousman. Hechoseacertainpathinlife,itprovedtobeamisguidedone,but there,hechoseit,hecansaythatatleast.Asformyself,Icannotever. claimthat.Yousee,Itrusted.Itrustedinhislordship'swisdom.All thoseyearsIservedhim,ItrustedIwasdoingsomethingworthwhile. Ican'tevensayImademyownmistakes.Reallyonehastoask oneself‐whatdignityisthereinthat?' (p.243-4) Ishigurohassaidthatitisthisthemewhichinterestshim‐"how peoplejustifytothemselvesthekindoflivestheyhaveled.Peoplewho aspiretodosomethingthattheythinkisofmoralvalue,somethingthat
will,astheyseeit,givetheirlivessomekindofdignity.1'minterested inpeoplewhotrytodothat,butfindthattheyaretooordinaryto transcendthemediocre.1'minterestedinthaturge ."4 0no,thenarratorin'AnArtistoftheFloatingWorld',isjustsuch anothercharacter,amantryingtojustifythelifehehasledandfind somedignityinit.WelearnhisphilosophywhenheappraisesAkira Sugimura,amanheadmires Forindeed,amanwhoaspirestoriseabovethemediocre ,tobe somethingmorethanordinary,surelydeservesadmiration,evenifin theendhefailsandlosesafortuneonaccountofhisambitions . (p.134) Onowouldlikeustobelievethathe,too,hasrisenabovethe mediocre,butattheendofthenovelwelearnthetruth‐notdirectly fromOno,butfromoneofhisformercolleagues‐thathewas,after all,onlytooordinary `Weatlea stactedonwhatwebelievedanddidourutmost.It'sjust thatintheendweturnedouttobeordinarymen.Ordinarymenwith nospecialgiftsofinsight.Itwassimplyourmisfortunetohavebeen ordinarymenduringsuchtimes.' (p.200) Onospendstheentirenoveltryingtopersuadeusthathewasfar frombeingan`ordinaryman'.Therevelationofhischaracteris somewhatdifferentfromthatofStevensbecauseitcomesaboutbythe reactionsofothercharacterstohim,ratherthanbywhathetellsus directlyofhimself. Fromthestartofthenovel,Onowantsustobelievethathewasan artistofgreatimportanceandisatpainstoemphasizehisreputation , thoughsimultaneouslyprotesting,rathertoomuch ,hisownunconcern aboutmattersofesteem -12一
Indeed,Ihaveneveratanypointinmylifebeenveryawareofmyown socialstanding,andevennow,Iamoftensurprisedafreshwhensome event,orsomethingsomeonemaysay,remindsmeoftheratherhigh esteeminwhichIamheld. (p.19? Itwas,Isuppose,anotherofthoseinstanceswhenoneisstruckbythe realizationthatoneisheldinratherhigheresteemthanonesupposed . ButthenIwasneveronetoconcernmyselfwithmattersofesteem... (p.64) Thenovelbeginswithadescriptionofhisimposinghousewhichhe hadboughtatalowcostbecausethefamilywishedtosellitinan auctionofprestige Howsomuchmorehonourableissuchacontest,inwhichone'smoral conductandachievementarebroughtaswitnessesratherthanthesize ofone'spurse.IcanstillrecallthedeepsatisfactionIfeltwhenI learnttheSugimuras‐afterthemostthoroughinvestigation‐had deemedmethemostworthyofthehousetheysoprized. (p.10} Onothusestablisheshisreputationfromthestartbyshowingthathe hasgainedtheapprovalofthefamilyofAkiraSugimura,`unquestion-ablyamongstthecity'smostrespectedandinfluentialmen'(p.7). Inthefirstpartofthestory,Onorecallshissuccessfulcareerjust beforeandduringtheWar,andthehonourinwhichhewasheldbyhis pupilsatthattime 'IhavesuspectedforsometimethatSenseiwasunaware ofthehigh regardinwhichheisheldbypeopleinthiscity.Indeed,astheinstance hehasjustrelatedamplyillustrates,hisreputationhasnowspread beyondtheworldofart,toallwalksofIife.Buthowtypicalof Sensei'smodestnaturethatheisunawareofthis.Howtypicalthathe himselfshouldbethemostsurprisedbytheesteemaccordedtohim. Buttoallofushereitcomesasnosurprise.Infact,itmaybesaidthat respectedenormouslyasheisbythepublicatlarge,itiswehereat thistablewhoaloneknowtheextenttowhichthatrespectstillfalls
short.ButIpersonallyhavenodoubt.Hisreputationwillbecomeall thegreater,andinyearstocome,ourproudesthonourwillbetotell othersthatwewereoncethepupilsofMasujiOno.' (P.25) Thispanegyricisbitterlyironicinthelightofwhatwesubsequently learnaboutOno,andthewayinwhichhispupilsaresoeagerto dissociatefromtheirformermaster:evenShintaro,theleastgiftedof hispupilsasksforaletterdisassociatinghimfromOno'sinfluenceso thathecansecureajobafterthewar(p.103}.Kuroda,hismost talentedpupil,barelyacknowledgeshimwhenheseeshiminthestreet (p.77-$)andwhenOnolatergoestovisithimheisturnedawayby Kuroda'sdisciple `Frankly ,sir,Iamamazedatyournerve.Tocomehereasthoughyou weresimplyafriendlyvisitor.' (p.113) Thisnovel,like`TheRemainsoftheDay',hasonlythebarestoutline ofaplot.Wearecarriedforwardbythenegotiationsforthearranged marriageofhisdaughter,Noriko,anditssuccessfulconclusion.Inthe preparationsforthismarriage,andtheaccountoftheabortedmarriage arrangementofthepreviousyear,westarttogethintsthatQno'spast isnotsoentirelyhonourable.Ono'solderdaughterwarnshimtobe carefulthattheprospectivebridegroom'sdetectivedoesnotfindout anythingaboutthemthattheywouldrathernotbeknown `1'msorry ,1'mnotsureIfollowyou.Iwasnotawarewehad anythingtohide. Setsukogaveanervouslaugh... ' ..,itisperhapswiseifFatherwouldtakecertainprecautionary steps.Toensuremisunderstandingsdonotarise...' `Misunderstandingsaboutwhat ,Setsuko?' `Aboutthepast .' (P.49) -14一
Norikoalsoraisesourdoubtsaboutwhatisbeinghiddenwhenshe questionsherfatherastotherealreasonforherprevioussuitor's familypullingoutofthemarriage ` ...Theyfelttheyoungmanwasinadequatelyplacedtobeworthyof }SOU.' `Butyouknowthatwasjustformality ,Father.Weneverfoundout therealreason.AtIeast,Inevergottohearaboutit.' (p.52) Atthesametime,Onoiscommentingonthechangedsocietyand valueshefindsallaroundhiminthisyearof1948.Weseethisinthe wayhisgrandson,Ichiro,isbeingbroughtuponadietofAmerican heroesliketheLoneRanger,andinthecommentsandreactionsfrom membersofayoungergeneration,suchasOno'sson-in-law,Shuichi, andNoriko'sformersuitor,Miyake,whoareangryaboutwhathas happenedduringthewarandfeelthatthoseguiltyshouldtakeresponsi-bility: `Iseeyour point,'Isaid-Butthosewhofoughtandworkedloyally forourcountryduringthewarcannotbecalledwarcriminals.Ifear that'sanexpressionusedtoofreelythesedays.' 'Butthesearethemenwholedthecountr yastray,sir.Surely,it's onlyrighttheyshouldacknowledgetheirresponsibility.It'sacoward-icethatthesemenrefusetoadmittotheirmistakes.Andwhenthose mistakesweremadeonbehalfofthewholecountry ,whythenitmust bethegreatestcowardiceofall.' (P.56) AsOnoisfarfromreadytoendorsetheseviews,werealizethathe isperhapsnotsoashamedofJapan'smilitaristicpast.Hesoontellsus howhesupportedit,helpingintheestablishmentbeforethewarofthe `Migi -Hidari'bar ,aplacewhichwastobe`acelebrationofthenew patrioticspiritemerginginJapan...'(p.63)andadvertisedbyan `enormousilluminatedpolebearingthenewnameofth epremises
againstabackgroundofarmybootsmarchinginformation.'(p.64). Theclimaxofthisnovelis,perhaps,theomiaimarriagemeeting betweenNorikoandherfatherandtheSaitofamily.Onosensesthe hostilityofthefamilytowardshim,especiallyoftheyoungersonwho islessskilledinhidingit,andmakeshisgreatconfessionandapology forhispast `Therearesome ,1VlrsSaito,'Isaid,perhapsalittleloudly,`who believemycareertohavebeenanegativeinfluence.Aninfluencenow besterasedandforgotten...' `Therearesomewhowouldsayitispeoplelikemyselfwho areresponsiblefortheterriblethingsthathappenedtothisnationof ours.AsfarasIamconcerned,IfreelyadmitImademanymistakes. IacceptthatmuchofwhatIdidwasultimatelyharmfultoournation, thatminewaspartofaninfluencethatresultedinuntoldsufferingfor ourpeople.Iadmitthis.Yousee,DrSaito,Iadmitthisquitereadily.' DrSaitoleanedforward,apuzzledexpressiononhisface. `Forgiveme ,MrOno,'hesaid.`You'resayingyouareunhappy abouttheworkyoudid?Withyourpaintings?' `Mypaintings .Myteachings.Asyousee,DrSaito,Iadmitthis quitereadily.AllIcansayisthatatthetimeIactedingoodfaith.I believedinallsincerityIwasachievinggoodformyfellow countrymen.Butasyousee,IamnotnowafraidtoadmitIwas mistaken.' (p.123-4) Ono'sreasonsforthisdeclarationatthispointare,heclaims,to securehisdaughter'sfuturehappinessbymarriage,butalsotosalvage somedignityfromthelifehehasled ...itmaynotalwaysbeaneasything,butthereiscertainlyasatisfac-tionanddignitytobegainedincomingtotermswiththemistakesone hasmadeinthecourseofone'slife. (p.124-5) AtthispointinthenovelwebelievethatOnohasbeennotonlyan importantartist,butanimportantwheelintheJapanesewarmachine. -16一
However,justasPopeadvisedlandscapegardenersto`confound'and `surprise' ,soinhisrevelationofOno'scharacter,Ishiguropresentsyet onemoreviewwhichconfoundsourexpectations. AfterNoriko'smarriagehastakenplaceSetsukodeniesthatshehad eversuggestedherfathertakeprecautionarysteps(p.191)and, furthermore,reportshowastonishedeveryonewasathisbehaviourat themiai.Thenfollowsadiscussionabouttherecentsuicideofa composerofpatrioticwarsongs 'FromwhatIunderstand ,'shecontinued,`MrNaguchi'ssongscame tohaveenormousprevalenceateverylevelofthewareffort.There wouldthusappeartohavebeensomesubstancetohiswishthathe shouldshareresponsibilityalongwiththepoliticiansandgenerals. ButFatheriswrongtoevenbeginthinkinginsuchtermsabout himself.Fatherwas,afterall,apainter.' 'Letmeassureyou ,Setsuko,Iwouldn'tforamomentconsidert1Ze sortofactionNaguchitook.ButthenIamnottooproudtoseethat Itoowasamanofsomeinfluence,whousedthatinfluencetowardsa disastrousend.' Mydaughterseemedtoconsiderthisforamoment.Thenshesaid `Forgiveme ,butitisperhapsimportanttoseethingsinaproper perspective.Fatherpaintedsomesplendidpictures,andwasnodoubt mostinfluentialamongstothersuchpainters.ButFather'sworkhad hardlytodowiththeselargermattersofwhichwearespeaking. Fatherwassimplyapainter.Hemuststopbelievinghehasdonesome greatwrong.' (p.192-3} Onowouldhaveusbelievethathewasamanofinfluenceevenif itmeansadmittingthatinfluencewasbad.Buthisdaughterpresents thetruth:hewasjustapainterandcannotclaimtohavebeenagreat figureofevilbecauseofhiswarposters. TherevelationofOno'scharacteriscomplicatedasitbecomesclear thatheisanunreliablenarrator.Itisfurthercomplicatedbythefact
thatheadmitsonseveraloccasionsthatheisnotsurewhetherheis
rememberingthingsclearlyandmayinfactbeattributingthewordsof
otherstothewrongpeople(p.56aboutMiyake;p.151abouthis
formerteacherMori;p.158aboutSetsuko;p.177aboutMori}.This
throwseverythingelseintodoubt,andtherespectwhichOnoissup-posedtohaveenjoyedasanartistisfurtherquestionedbySetsuko's
assertionthatSaito,farfromreveringOno,hadneverheardofhim
untilrecently.
DespiteOno'sunreliabilityasanarrator,wearepresentedwith
differentfacetsofhischaracterandcareertillfinallywecanpaintthe
fullpicture.Onomaynotalwayshavethecorrectperceptionofreality
andtruth,buthedoesshoweverything,includingincidentsfromhis
pastandreactionsofotherstohimwhicharefarfromfavourable,so
thatattheendofthenovelweseethetruth:thathewas,likeStevens,
justanordinarymanwhowastrappedintobehavinginthewayhedid
bythetimesinwhichhelivedandthevaluesthatwerecurrent.Hewas
notagreatforceforgoodinthelivesofhispupils,butneitherwashe
suchaninfluenceofevil.Nordidhe,asheclaims,have`aqualityI
cametobemuchrespectedforinlateryears‐theabilitytothinkand
judgeformyself,evenifitmeantgoingagainsttheswayofthose
aroundme.'(p.69}
`TheRemainsoftheDay'and`AnArtistoftheFloatingWorld'are
bothsetinthepost-wareraandthecharacterslookbackoveratime
whenvalueswereverydifferent.InStevens'case,theclimaxofhis
careerhadcoincidedwiththeriseinfascismwhichenjoyedpopularity
inBritainwithasmallminority,includinghisformeremployer,Lord
Darlington.Hethuslooksbackwithshameonthefactthatheserved
amanbackingthewrongcause.Ono,too,findshehasbackedthe
wrongcause‐hehasusedhisartisticshillstopromotethepatriotic
-18一
spiritofJapaninthethirties,aspiritwhichledtomilitarismandthe tragedyoftheSecondWorldWar.Ishigurodealswiththeconflictthis createswithinhischaracters "1' minterestedinperiodsofhistorysuchasJapanafterthesecond WorldWar,whenmoralvaluesdidasortoftopsy-turvey,whenalot ofpeoplewhohaddevotedtheirlivestosomethingthattheythought wasvaluablearesuddenlytoldbysocietyaroundthem,no,sorry,you weredoingsomethingwrongallthetime,infactyouwerecontributing tosomethingevilandwewillnowcondemnyou.Theythenhaveto somehowre-evaluatetheirlives‐thethingstheythoughttheycould beproudof,theyhavetobeashamedof."5 StevensandOnoareboth,toacertainextent,unreliablenarrators butduringtheirnarrationtheyshowuseverythingsothatwecan decidethetruthforourselvesaboutthem‐atruthwhichissurprising anddifferentfromwhatwehadexpectedaswebeganthenovel .In Stevenscase,hedirectlyrevealsmoreabouthimselfandhisemployer, sotheprocessissomewhatlikeaportraitbeingpaintedinoils,gradu-allybuildingupthecolourtorevealatruelikeness.WithOno,itis morelikelookingataJapanesefoldingscreenthathastobeseenfrom differentangles,withvaryingdegreesoflightandshade,tounderstand thewhole.Ishiguro'sgradualrevelationofhischaractersis,Ibelieve , influencedbythegentlerestraintofJapanesecultureandisanintegral featureofhisart. Notes 1.Lookjapan,Jan1990. 2.VideointerviewwithCliveSinclairintheseriesWriterstalk ,ideas ofourtime,TheRolandCollection. 3.ibid.
