The theme of death is evident in countless works of literature. Kazuo Ishiguro develops this theme in his short story, “A Family Supper” in a unique and effective way. "A Family Supper" foreshadows by informing the reader that there is a possibility of another death occurring in addition to the death of the narrator’s mother. Ishiguro alludes to this theme by explaining in detail how the consumption of Fugu fish can be fatal and how prominent death is in the life of the narrator’s family.
In the opening paragraphs of the short story, the narrative foreshadows or anticipates an event that may occur later on in the story. While reading “A Family Supper” for the first time, it seems unnecessary to include such a large amount of information about …show more content…
Beginning in the introduction, the reader learns that consuming Fugu fish is “hideously painful and almost always fatal” (194). An introduction like this produces a dark mood for the reader that seems to exist throughout the entire story. In the third paragraph, the narrator states that his mother was poisoned by consuming Fugu fish. Midway through the story, the narrator learns from Kikuko that Watanabe, a business partner of the narrator’s father, has committed suicide and murdered his entire family. He “turned on the gas while they were all asleep” (197) according to Kikuko. The narrator’s father was a member of the Japanese Navy in World War II. Culturally, suicide was viewed as an honourable act. Many Japanese people would rather die with honour than live with guilt and regret. Watanabe is “a man of principle and honour” (194) according to the narrator’s father. He believes this to be true due to the cultural context of the act. Watanabe would have also lived through World War II. Therefore, both Watanabe and his business partner would have had the same opinions and beliefs about the act of committing suicide. The final scene of the story also contributes to the central theme of death in “A Family Supper.” After having read the introduction, the last two pages of the story can be viewed as a murder taking place from the reader’s perspective. The characters in the story have no idea
In the opening paragraphs of the short story, the narrative foreshadows or anticipates an event that may occur later on in the story. While reading “A Family Supper” for the first time, it seems unnecessary to include such a large amount of information about …show more content…
Beginning in the introduction, the reader learns that consuming Fugu fish is “hideously painful and almost always fatal” (194). An introduction like this produces a dark mood for the reader that seems to exist throughout the entire story. In the third paragraph, the narrator states that his mother was poisoned by consuming Fugu fish. Midway through the story, the narrator learns from Kikuko that Watanabe, a business partner of the narrator’s father, has committed suicide and murdered his entire family. He “turned on the gas while they were all asleep” (197) according to Kikuko. The narrator’s father was a member of the Japanese Navy in World War II. Culturally, suicide was viewed as an honourable act. Many Japanese people would rather die with honour than live with guilt and regret. Watanabe is “a man of principle and honour” (194) according to the narrator’s father. He believes this to be true due to the cultural context of the act. Watanabe would have also lived through World War II. Therefore, both Watanabe and his business partner would have had the same opinions and beliefs about the act of committing suicide. The final scene of the story also contributes to the central theme of death in “A Family Supper.” After having read the introduction, the last two pages of the story can be viewed as a murder taking place from the reader’s perspective. The characters in the story have no idea