Final Thoughts on Artists: Ishiguro and Head

Studying the four authors of the "floating world" has taught us many valuable lessons. Lessons that can give us a more clear understanding of the positions and duties we hold on earth. The indirect teachings of authors like Kazuo Ishiguro and Bessie Head sprouted out of the constantly changing narratives that helped frame their often "bearingless" lives. Such narratives also helped form their identities. Both authors found themselves caught between two worlds, often doubling back and forth. At times living in the past and "local" world, and other times being in the present and more "global" world. On their often blurry and painful journeys, lessons concerning the significance of the voice of subalterns were addressed, as well as the act of leaving the past and it's misdeeds behind, to move on with the times. But perhaps the most important question to be asked and lesson to be learned is, "how does one CHOOSE to be a responsible citizen of the floating world?" After all, we can make that choice to change the narrative that writes our life story. What is required to successfully survive while living between "binaries" or two opposites? What tools do you need to live with both roots that ground us, and wings that broaden our perspective?

In Kazuo Ishiguro's novel, "An Artist of the Floating World," the main character, Ono found himself stuck between pre-war Nagasaki, and post war propagandist and nationalist Japan. He often doubled back and forth between binaries, and struggled to deal with the changes that his native country was going through. Throughout the novel, we saw Ono make many mistakes, and fail to deal with them in an appropriate way. When referring to former colleagues on page 204, Ono, who was once an artist of their own kind, says "they are of a different kind, and will never experience the happiness I have." He goes on to say, "they do not know what it is to rise above the mediocre." On another occasion, Ono was responsible for the punishment of Kuroda (an old friend) and at the chance of reconciliation and explanation, Ono went on to change the subject saying, "but this is all of limited relevance...." Ono never mentioned Kuroda again. Every opportunity Ono had to reconcile, he avoided. It all contributed to Ono's many failed attempts at dealing with past mistakes.

A lack of reconciliation is not part of being a responsible citizen in the floating world. Ono was not a responsible citizen of the floating world, due to his betrayal of former colleagues. Whether the times are changing or not, a responsible citizen finds better balance than he did. Rob Burton writes in "Artists of the Floating World" on page 131, "you must recognize and acknowledge the narratives that constitute our identity." Ono did this, but it is also important to acknowledge what constitutes other peoples identities as you do your own. Ono failed to do this.

On the topic of reconciliation, Margaret, the main character in Bessie Head's "Maru" comes to mind, along with the significance of hearing the voices of the subaltern. Margaret, as a Masarwa and subaltern herself, lived in a frameless life, without bearings. She struggled to get traction as a young girl facing severe oppression against her kind in South Africa. Margaret eventually found contentment after doubling back and forth between a world of subalterns and white citizens. She tells us on page 14, "in an environment provided the stimulus and amenities of learning, any human mind can absorb knowledge to the limits of it's capacities." Margaret believed in herself, and believed in the ability and equality of the subalterns. She never betrayed her kind, and paved the way for others like her. As Burton says on page 131, "you must be attentive to the voice of the subaltern." In this case, Margaret was, and eventually the country of South Africa was too. These are absolute necessities for survival in the floating world, and success as a responsible citizen in it as well. All of us have a little bit of subaltern in us, and it's important to see that in others.

As Rob Burton explains the importance of frames providing structure to our understanding of the world, he also stresses the need for awareness that such frames can be limiting and restrictive. We must position ourselves properly in order to see the world through the eyes of other's perspectives. The frames that give structure to our lives must not be fixed and closed. To successfully exist in the floating world is to be able to double back and forth between both sides, not just one of them. Margaret's life perfectly displayed this, as she served as a prophet and voice for the subaltern, while at the same time fitting in with the white folk.

Both author's wrote of characters who attempted to survive as citizens of the floating world, one truly succeeding, and the other believing he did. Regardless, they both experienced the difficulties in doing so. We witnessed the painful journey it is, and saw the life time that it can take to become a responsible citizen of the floating world. There are many tools one can use to aid in a choice to become a responsible citizen, but some are absolutely essential. Doubling back and forth between two binaries can be painful and difficult, but if the result is a responsible citizen of the floating world, many lives can be touched, and the road can be forever paved for others. It is totally worth while, and after all, we all have a little subaltern in us.