On The Idealized Image and Japanese Moral Narratives: A Case Study of an Artist of the Floating World

An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro is set at end War II. It reveals psychological trauma caused war, self-help method adopted characters to heal themselves, concerning “idealized images” and Japanese moral narratives, which are consistent with narrative ways contemporary government deal negative effects war. The novel creates a “positive image” means morality memory interweaving, half true false, avoiding serious taking light demonstrate “mainstream memory” more acceptable himself public. In dealing conflicts war trauma, protagonist idealized image through using narratives shape strengthen it.When his conflict, image, real self can not be reconciled, house pub provide him stage escape from reality, hypnotize own achievement, ignore impact on reshape heroic narrative. For reader, repetition emphasis prosperous modified description Kawakami’s Pub, Ono’s career contribution also enhanced, achievements exaggerated, militarism behaviors blurred so as make effect diverting reader’s attention sins that urge outbreak, add fuel destruction highly s similar application Yasukuni Shrine in current political strategy. On basis examining contents mentioned above, reflect nation’s way coping perspective individuals, this study attempts help people better understand continuity complexity Meanwhile, it hopes transmit information objectively have clearer reasonable identity.