A Family Supper - Kazuo Ishiguro

Question 1

Fugu fish

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

‘The fish became extremely popular in Japan after the war.’

Answer 2

Context: the story is written post WW2, describes the culture shifts following the war.

Question 3

‘My relationship with my parents became somewhat strained around that period.’

Answer 3

Signs of separations, disagreements within their family (domestic conflict).

Question 4

‘We were sitting on the tatami floor.’

Answer 4

Introduces the reader to their traditional Japanese culture.

Question 5

‘My father was a formidable looking man with a large stony jaw and furious black eyebrows.’

Answer 5

Characterisation: paints the picture of a toughened man.

Question 6

‘Particularly proud of the pure Samauri blood that ran in the family.’

Answer 6

Adds to the motif of Japanese culture: specifically the very traditional side. Plosive alliteration.

Question 7

‘His presence was not one which encouraged relaxed conversation.’

Answer 7

Motif of domestic conflict, whilst this is partly due to his father’s manner, it indicates to their strained relationship.

Question 8

‘A man of principle and honour. I respected him very much.’

Answer 8

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).

Question 9

‘Dealing with foreigners. Doing things their way.’

Answer 9

Older Japanese generations separated from other countries.

Question 10

‘I’m not sure what my plans will be.’

Answer 10

The narrator does not what to stay in Japan, the separation of generations.

Question 11

‘Upset as she was by your behaviour.’

Answer 11

Takes on an angrier tone to indicate the fathers feelings towards his son, being too late home (post his mother’s death).

Question 12

‘I’ve come to believe now that there were no evil intentions in your mind. You were swayed by certain - influences.’

Answer 12

Shows father’s distain towards America and American culture (links to Nagasaki/Hiroshima).

Question 13

‘He took his family with him. His wife and two little girls.’

Answer 13

Turning point in the story: the narrator becomes aware of his father’s thoughts considering what actually happened, creating a larger generational difference.

Question 14

‘Turned on the gas when they were all asleep. Then he cut his stomach with a meat knife.’

Answer 14

Like the preparation of a fish. Links also to ‘Seppuku’, a Japanese ritual when a Samauri kills himself by cutting into his stomach.

Question 15

‘in an aeroplane - well - there was always the final weapon.’

Answer 15

Motif of death: suicide reference, linking to Watanabe and ‘honour’.

Question 16

‘I don’t suppose you believe in war.’ ‘Not particularly’.

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

‘His voice became very hard. ‘Can’t you recognise your own mother?’’

Answer 17

Motif of domestic conflict, as the narrator struggles to recognise his mother after longterm seperation.

Question 18

‘We all reached forwards and helped ourselves.’

Answer 18

This shows to the reader that the narrator and his sister are trusting of their father, unsuspecting of having a possibly poisonous meal.

Question 19

‘I fear it may have weakened his judgement.’

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

‘It was an old woman. She was standing there watching me … She was wearing a white kimono.’ / ‘The old woman in the white Kimono.’

Answer 20

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.