Take Some Lessons

Take Some Lessons

            As a self-proclaimed conscious member of the human race, I have always considered it my responsibility to make the world a better place than it was when I found it.  In an attempt to achieve this goal, there are many different actions and decisions that I have made over the course of my life, and continue to make on a daily basis.  In the grand scheme of things, life can often seems like a game, with unspecified players, time limits, and opponents.  Through literature like Ishiguro’s “Artists of the Floating World”, and Rushdie’s “East, West”, readers are provided with numerous lessons and suggestions in regard to living the ideal life, and being the best player one can be.  Although no single individual is perfect, one needs to be aware of their surroundings, actions, and the effect they personally have on the world. 

            In his written work “East, West”, author Salman Rushdie uses satiric humor to get his point across, and his message out to the masses.  Rightfully so, Rushdie is very critical of modern society, specifically the focus and desires of the overall population.  In his short story, “At the Auction of the Ruby Slippers”, Rushdie makes a complete mockery at the expense of unconscious, unreasonable members of society, those who find great value in unrealistic, and invaluable figures.  Whether it be the slippers worn by a fictional film character or the pedigree of some dog, these items are nonetheless worthless, but for some reason have an almost mystical importance to certain people.  These same people place so much time and importance in non-important things, it begins to take over, and possibly gets in the way of their lives.  I believe that Rushdie is reminding the reader to focus on the right things in life, things that are actually important, certainly not movie stars, fictional characters, or things that don’t even exist in real life.

            When so emotionally involved and focused in a situation, I sometimes find myself unable to keep a realistic point of view.  In reality, it is ideal in any given situation to take a step back and look at the situation from a different perspective. Although one might be only one step back, the view can be substantially different, and decisions that much easier to make.  Through his satiric style of writing, Rushdie offers the reader that different perspective, that sharper point of view.  Rushdie has the characters in his stories looking so stupid, foolish, and downright unreasonable, the reader has almost no choice but to take the authors perspective by stories end.  Although it is presented as humor, Rushdie does indeed get on some serious topics in our present day society.  From unnecessary obsessions with unimportant pop singers, to over indulgence on monetary items and status markers, there are so many more important and pressing issues which warrant attention. 

            In “Artists of the Floating World”, author Kazuo Ishiguro provides the reader with a few good lessons through the study of main character Masuji Ono.  Examining Ono, one can definitely see the dangers of messing with nostalgia and memory if not used in the right way.  As an artistic frontrunner in a Nationalistic pre World War II Japan, Ono often finds himself fantasizing over an unattainable past.  As times and society change with the outcome of the war, Ono is unable to let go and move forward, and is seemingly lost with his new surroundings.  Although it is good to learn from one’s past, there must be some balance involved.  While memory and nostalgia are good for reflection, it doesn’t work out when it is used in abundance, and gets in the way of one’s progress.  From Ishiguro’s “Masuji Ono”, one can see how over indulgence on the past can often get in the way of one’s future.  Sometimes you’ve just got to roll with the punches, and accept reality for what it is. 

            As members of the same human race, there is indeed an unwritten responsibility for everyone.  Because we find ourselves sharing the same home, and many other things on Earth, it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that they don’t ruin it for the next person, and so on.  Through the written works of Ishiguro and Rushdie, one can see the importance of being their best, and being a conscious member of society.  There are many beautiful, important things in this world; there is no reason to get caught up in any one single thing, certainly not your own well-being. Take everything in moderation, and keep it real.