A Family Supper - Kazuo Ishiguro Flashcards
Fugu fish
A species of fish in which contains poison in the sexual glands, which must be moved properly before being cooked. The only way to tell if the poison had been removed, was when consumed.
‘The fish became extremely popular in Japan after the war.’
Context: the story is written post WW2, describes the culture shifts following the war.
‘My relationship with my parents became somewhat strained around that period.’
Signs of separations, disagreements within their family (domestic conflict).
‘We were sitting on the tatami floor.’
Introduces the reader to their traditional Japanese culture.
‘My father was a formidable looking man with a large stony jaw and furious black eyebrows.’
Characterisation: paints the picture of a toughened man.
‘Particularly proud of the pure Samauri blood that ran in the family.’
Adds to the motif of Japanese culture: specifically the very traditional side. Plosive alliteration.
‘His presence was not one which encouraged relaxed conversation.’
Motif of domestic conflict, whilst this is partly due to his father’s manner, it indicates to their strained relationship.
‘A man of principle and honour. I respected him very much.’
Watanabe (the man described in the quote) murdered his family, something thought to be entirely wrong. This indicates the generational differences between the characters, and links the Father further to traditional Japanese culture, and possibly kamikaze pilots (the idea of sacrificing everything).
‘Dealing with foreigners. Doing things their way.’
Older Japanese generations separated from other countries.
‘I’m not sure what my plans will be.’
The narrator does not what to stay in Japan, the separation of generations.
‘Upset as she was by your behaviour.’
Takes on an angrier tone to indicate the fathers feelings towards his son, being too late home (post his mother’s death).
‘I’ve come to believe now that there were no evil intentions in your mind. You were swayed by certain - influences.’
Shows father’s distain towards America and American culture (links to Nagasaki/Hiroshima).
‘He took his family with him. His wife and two little girls.’
Turning point in the story: the narrator becomes aware of his father’s thoughts considering what actually happened, creating a larger generational difference.
‘Turned on the gas when they were all asleep. Then he cut his stomach with a meat knife.’
Like the preparation of a fish. Links also to ‘Seppuku’, a Japanese ritual when a Samauri kills himself by cutting into his stomach.
‘in an aeroplane - well - there was always the final weapon.’
Motif of death: suicide reference, linking to Watanabe and ‘honour’.
‘I don’t suppose you believe in war.’ ‘Not particularly’.
Motif of domestic conflict/generational difference. Narrator’s father lived during a time of war, where was the narrator himself was not exposed to the same violence - as societies’ views shifted.
‘His voice became very hard. ‘Can’t you recognise your own mother?’’
Motif of domestic conflict, as the narrator struggles to recognise his mother after longterm seperation.
‘We all reached forwards and helped ourselves.’
This shows to the reader that the narrator and his sister are trusting of their father, unsuspecting of having a possibly poisonous meal.
‘I fear it may have weakened his judgement.’
The narrator’s father admits he disagrees with Watanabe’s choice to murder his family, having previously stated he was an ‘honourable man’. Therefore, the reader’s impression of the father shifts, as he is characterised into a more understanding man.
‘It was an old woman. She was standing there watching me … She was wearing a white kimono.’ / ‘The old woman in the white Kimono.’
An old woman, seen as a ghost, is described jokingly by the narrator to his sister, referencing their childhood/jokes about ghosts. Yet during dinner, his mother is seen in a photograph matching the description of the ghost. Motif: death / grief, seeing lost ones.
