Literacy Features When I Whistle by Endo Shusaku Essay

Literacy Features When I Whistle by Endo Shusaku - Essay Example Literary features are the tools that the writer uses to help the reader understand what he is trying to say. The basic theme of the novel is about the generation gap between a nostalgic World War II veteran and his ambitious son Eiichi, a doctor by profession. Edno has used his two characters to highlight the difference between the pre and post war generations. Eiichi is the representative of the modern world, which is more materialistic, morally, ethically and socially corrupt. It is evident through his relationship with his father, patients and friends. Ozu, on the other hand represents the past or the pre world war generation, which values life, friendship, morality and ethics. Endo introduces the characters of Aiko and Flatfish to reveal the purity and simplicity of Ozu’s time. Narrative Technique: Endo has used simple prose, which keeps on shifting back and forth into the past and the present. His narrative technique helps him in disclosing the past and at the same time keeping the readers well informed about the present situation. The narrative keeps on shifting between Ozu and Eiichi. As Ozu’s reminiscences moves towards the past, the two narratives come in contact with each other with devastating effects. The third person narrative gives us a detailed analysis of the rift between the father and the son. Symbolism: The characters along with different objects in the novel are highly symbolic. Ozu, Flatfish and Aiko symbolize the past. The simplicity and purity of their relationship symbolizes the simplicity of their time. Eiichi symbolizes the modern materialistic man who is more interested in his own success. Nature is not mentioned when Eiichis life is described, but when the narrator talk about Ozu’s memories, nature is all around, the beach, the rivers and the pines. Edno has used the father and the son as a metaphor to describe the change of values of the post and pre war generations. Eiichi’s generation is