Ono is a very mysterious character. So far, the novel doesn't really told us a lot about his past mistakes, but there are a lot of characters who seem to have something against him. The surprising thing, though, is that Ono doesn't seem to realize it.
The narration seems to be using language that only excuses Ono, and doesn't go further into the accusations made against Ono by people like her daughter. However, this only seems to lead to the idea that Ono is trying to either hide or ignore that. Maybe he could also simply be on the “bridge of hesitation”.
In the beginning of April 1949, there is a small quarrel going on between the proposed Noriko and Ono. Of course, the argument is about the positioning of the tree, but what does this really mean? On page 106, Noriko says, “The azaleas have never regained their looks. That's what comes of Father having so much time on his hands. He ends up meddling where it's not required.”(Ishiguro 106) Azaleas are supposed to be pretty flowers, but Noriko keeps saying that they never regained their looks. Noriko is trying to hint at Ono how he messed up their last engagement, and she hasn't regained her status or image as beautiful. Ono messed it up when he gave away information about the military, and know Noriko is afraid he will do the same with the Saito's.
The history of Ono comes back to haunt him whenever he tries to revisit his old friend, Mr. Kuroda. I found it very strange how Mr. Enchi, the young painter under the mentorship of Mr. Kuroda, treated Ono with the most polite of manners, listening to every comment with high regard and detail. However, whenever he hears about his history with the war, Enchi treats him as low as someone has been treated this book. I found it funny how Ono acted as if he didn't know what was going on, “Most things are more complicated than they appear, Mr. Enchi. Young men of your generation tend to see things far too simply.”(113). Ono is trying to defend himself by stating that the past in something not understood by youngster, but the truth is that he needs to get on with this new generation because Enchi was serious when he said Kuroda didn't want to see him. I think Ono is having a difficult time admitting his past mistakes.
I think that the truth behind Ono is that his past decision to go into the military causes everyone to hate him. Even Mr. Saito and his family seems to have something against him. Ono seems a bit stubborn though, and he doesn't appear to change his mind anytime soon. Who knows what consequences he will have next.
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We're not sure what Ono's business was during the war. He was[I'm assuming] one of those people who influenced people and did it because it was at the time his best judgment. He's not a traitor as everyone else in the book wants to believe because he wants Japan to prosper and keep its beauty. Yes, Ono is very secretive and you start to wonder whether Noriko is right about him "crying" at times. You wonder if she's right and if so what's he lamenting about? The deaths of his son and wife? Maybe that's the cause of his woes currently because he has to admit somehow what happen in the war was partially his fault but not all of it.
ReplyDeleteI think that Ono is simply being brave in believing what he did was right at the moment. When you make a choice, you have to live with the consequences and own up to your mistakes, that is what Ono eventually does in this chapter. I think that the young generation needs to stop being so whiny and just move on and forget the past.
ReplyDeleteThe real cowards and traitors are those who supported a unified Japan and then scattered when it fell. I feel that even though Ono is having difficulty, he is the only real character in the novel.
Ono seems to be the kind of person that even though he may feel wrong for the things that came to pass, he doesn't forget what he has done and doesn't regret that he was able to contribute to something that he fully aware was correct at the time. It was a time for great prosperity for the Japanese. They conquered half of all East Asia and wanted to expand to make themselves better off. Of course history and this book, depicts the loss of such territory, but also many customs and traditions went out the window. Japan was changed for a better good, and Ono knows that, but why should he regret the things he did to spark a patriotic emotion that dwelled in every Japanese person? He put in effort to help a cause that was rightfully important and beneficial for a Japanese nation to prosper. Yet, times change and so do people. Yet, even though all was lost, Ono stuck to his roots and openly admitted to his behavior.
ReplyDeleteI like your point about the azaleas and how Noriko spoke to him in such a manner. What I noticed as Noriko spoke to her father that way was that Ono stood up for himself in a somewhat indirect way. He told her if she didn't like what he had done she was more than welcomed to go fix hem herself. Ono's character is strong yet weak. Ono is weak when it comes to being very direct, but he is strong because he makes some strong points without having to act in a tyrant manner.
ReplyDeleteLorena, to give a response to your point about Ono being sensitive, I think that is what I am trying to touch on when I am saying he is weak yet strong. When he lost two very important people in his life he suffered. I think that is why he tells Enchi that he does not see things with as much depth. Because he experienced the war he has more to think of it, while others experienced as well but also possibly didn't go through as much.
You must remember that the book is narrated by Ono. We, for the most part, only get his side of the story. We as readers are supposed to question his sources and facts. I'm sure there are things he doesn't want us to know and is trying to hide.
ReplyDeleteI also don't believe he doesn't completely realize that many people are against him. I think he knows they don't care for him but he goes about it in an indirect but strong way, as Lucy mentioned above.