Module B – Critical study of literature

Table of Contents

Introduction.. 3

Module B – Critical Study of Literature. 5

Overview.. 5

Textual Integrity. 5

Techniques in texts. 5

Problems with understanding how and when to cite techniques (language and meaning) 6

Overview of An Artist of the Floating World.. 7

Context. 8

1. Form.. 8
2. Meiji restoration and the rise of Japanese nationalism.. 8
3. The defeat of Japan in WW2 and its restructuring. 9
4. The rise of Japanese militarism.. 9
5. Monster movies. 9

Theme 1: The changing nature of context. 11

1. The house. 11

The family. 12

1. Reputation. 14
2. The power of narrative and the role of memory. 15
3. Work ethic. 16

Theme 2: Quest for the ideal. 17

1. The floating world. 17
2. The nature of perspective. 17
3. The quest for truth and the nature of context. 19
4. The Migi Hidari in the lead up to the war. 20
5. Ono’s reliability as a narrator. 20
6. Ono’s attitude regarding his responsibility and contribution to the war. 21

Theme 3: The loss of ideals. 22

1. Alienation. 22
2. Shintaro and Ono. 22
3. Hostility beneath the surface. 23
4. The Migi Hidari after the war. 24
5. 1 June 1950. 25