Kazuo Ishiguro's Floating World:A Modernistic Approach To The Unconsoled

This thesis is studying in Japanese British writer Kazuo Ishiguro's novel The Unconsoled,based on the theory of Zygmunt Bauman's "Liquid Modernity".In the background of modernity,there are huge changes in human beings' thought and behavior.This thesis is decoded the novel in this kind of culture background.Kazuo Ishiguro is always portraying protagonist who try extremely hard but get nothing.They seem persevere with nothing,and gladly accept failure.The protagonist of The Unconsoled whose name is Ryde also lead to this road.It is unusual.Therefore,this thesis try to illustrate the reason and significance of Ryde's choice.This thesis is divided into 3 parts.The existed studies of The Unconsoled,both domestic and aboard,will be stated in the introduction.What's more,why Kazuo Ishiguro and Zygmunt Bauman are related to the concept called "floating" will be explained.The main issue of this thesis will be introduced.The main body is divided into 3 parts.First part is about floating location.The locations in the novel are related to the physical space.And they are also the scenes of plots.Because of human activity,the extensity is attached to these locations.And the extensity is reversely affect human activities.There are 3 three special locations is significant to the novel.We will know the scenes of the plots.The second part is about floating memory.Ryde's past and present is connected by his memory,and it can also illustrate his action,values and what he is pursuing.We can get into his inner world,find his past and wound by exploring his memory,in that way can we understand the reason of his weird action.The third part is about floating identity.If past and present is connected by his memory,the identity is connecting past,present and the future.To ensure his identity,Ryde not only have to look back to his past,but also make decision about his future.What he chose for his future is to persevere in vain.Although his action is illogical and hard to understand,it can show the significance of what Ryde is pursuing.In concluding part,the issue will be settled.I will make a conclusion of his choice and significance of it:although lonely,he is pursuing independence and freedom.Ryde is full of courage to be absent from commonplace and pursing his self-value.