Author
Characters
Quotes
Miscellaneous
Lit Devices
100
When was the author born and how could this influence the story?
1954-This influences the story because the father in his books might have experienced the same things as the Japanese veterans from WWII.
100
Describe the relationship between the narrator and his father. What is Kazuo Ishiguro telling us about the rising generation?
They seem separated not only by their age but also by their beliefs. Father is more traditional and may or may not believe in the Japanese tradition of honor suicide. Kazuo Ishiguro is telling us that in the current generation, traditions and culture are being lost.
100
"She's a good girl."
Father
100
What is the name of the fish and what is the fish's significance?
Fugu-The fugu is a symbol of death. It is the means of death for the mother and also is possibly in the food at the end of the story.
100
The beginning of the book goes over the details of fugu, a deadly fish. It goes on to say that fugu is normally eaten but if not prepared correctly, it can be very fatal and very painful. Unfortunately, it continues by saying the main Protagonist's mother dies by fugu poisoning at a friends house. Then the son arrives in Japan. This would be described as the story's ______________.
Exposition
200
Where was Kazuo Ishiguro born and how does this influence the story?
Kazuo was born in Nagasaki nine years after it was bombed. This influences the story because he was born in a place that was highly affected by WWII. This shows itself when the father in the book talks about how he was in the navy and how he would have died for his country.
200
What and why does father say he would have rather done than sail? Do you agree with his thoughts?
He would rather fly an "aeroplane" because you always have a final weapon.
200
"I can't see any ghosts, you were lying to me all that time." What could the ghosts represent?
Kikuko-I think that the ghost might have been a premonition of his mother's death, somehow seen when he was a child.
200
What is the color of the mother's kimono? What could Kazuo Ishiguro be teling us about the mother?
White- This could mean that since she has died, she has been made pure or white. Since she might have committed suicide, Kazuo Ishiguro is saying that honor suicides bring purity in the Japanese culture.
200
This occurs when they eat the mysterious fish. This is the story's ___________ because it is the most tense moment of the story because throughout the whole story they keep referring to this poisonous fish called fugu, as well as the fact that the father’s business partner killed his whole family when their company went bankrupt
Climax
300
What was Kazuo Ishiguro's first novel?
A Pale View of Hills
300
Why did mother eat the fugu even though she said she wouldn't? What does this tell us about Kazuo Ishiguro's view of society?
She ate the fugu because she did not want to offend a school friend. One theme that this could bring out is that people should not always do what society asks because it might not be the best/safest thing.
300
"Who is that in that photograph there?"
Narrator
300
What did father make a plastic model of and what is its significance?
He made a model of a boat. It shows that he is mellowing out because he is making plastic boats.
300
What do you think about the resolution.
We think that this story really has no resolution because the biggest question is never answered.
400
How many novels did Kazuo Ishiguro write?
Five
400
Do you think that the father used fugu to poison the supper? Give your reasoning behind it.
I do not believe that the father poisoned the food because he thought that Watanabe was mistaken in killing his family. Also, after the food is served, he asks his son if he wants to stay with him. He would not have asked that if he had known that they would all soon be dead.
400
"If you wish to stay here, I mean here in this house you would be very welcome." Do you think that the narrator will want to stay?
I believe that the narrator will leave because he seems to almost fear his father. He cannot read his father and doesn't know what he is thinking. He also does not believe in the ancient Japanese traditions like honor suicides.
400
In what season does this story take place and what is significant about this?
Autumn- It is the changing of seasons and it represents the changing of the Japanese traditions to a more modern approach.
400
"chattering like an old woman" is an example of this.
Simile
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