The Counter-writing Of Children:a Study Of Klara And The Sun

Klara and the Sun is the first full-length novel by Kazuo Ishiguro to be published after winning the Nobel Prize.It is Ishiguro’s second attempt at science fiction following Never Let Me Go.The themes of technology and humanity in Klara and the Sun have been the focus of scholarly attention,yet the role of children writing in reproducing these themes has not yet received sufficient attention.This thesis argues that Ishiguro develops his imagination of post-human issues such as “genetic editing”and artificial intelligence from the anti-traditional children,the relationship of alienation,and the existential crisis of children.Concerning the anti-traditional children,Ishiguro portrays a group of children lacking innocence under the anxiety of “genetic editing”,like the neurotic Josie,the marginalized Rick,and the aggressive children at the “interaction meeting”.Through the words and deeds of children,Ishiguro shapes children in a future world in which“genetic editing” has intervened,who lack innocence and vitality,and in contrast to the romantic imagination of children in literary history,thereby ponders over the dilemma of technology and humanity at the origin of human life.As for the relationship of alienation,Ishiguro highlights the competition between children and artificial intelligence,the sophistication of children’s interactions with other children,and the estrangement between children and parents.Based on the characterization of children who lack innocence,Ishiguro portrays the relationship of alienation concerning children in the age of artificial intelligence,thereby further imagining the possible ethical crisis that artificial intelligence brings to human relationship.Moreover,in the post-human era,children are confronted with existential crisis like emotional loneliness,identity anxiety,and resistance and assimilation in the environment.Through the counter-writing of children,Ishiguro explores the dilemma that human beings may encounter in the post-human era,presenting a path of reflection on technology based on the very being of human beings.The counter-writing of children is a narrative strategy that should not be overlooked in Klara and the Sun.Through the narrative strategy,Ishiguro concentrates on the human condition from the chronological beginning of human beings,ponders over the anxiety of possible crisis in the post-human era,and expresses his humanistic concerns.Thus,considering the counter-writing of children as a narrative strategy,Klara and the Sun can be seen as a novel that imagines the future and reflects on technology.