“The Buried Giant” is a novel written by Kazuo Ishiguro, published in March 2015. It is a fantasy novel set in a fictional post-Arthurian England where no one can retain long-term memories. The novel follows the journey of an elderly couple, Axl and Beatrice, who decide to travel to a neighboring village to find their son, whom they can only dimly recall having had.
The novel has been the subject of much discussion and analysis due to its use of allegory. Many readers and critics have interpreted the novel as an allegory for the human condition, with the loss of memory representing the loss of history and the difficulty of reconciling with the past. Others have seen it as a commentary on the nature of love and the sacrifices we make for those we care about. Whatever the interpretation, “The Buried Giant” is a thought-provoking novel that raises important questions about what it means to be human.
Overview of ‘The Buried Giant’
In “The Buried Giant,” Kazuo Ishiguro takes readers on a journey through a post-Arthurian England where memories are fleeting and the past is buried. The novel follows the elderly couple Axl and Beatrice, who embark on a journey to find their son, whom they can only dimly remember.
As they travel through the countryside, encountering knights, dragons, and other fantastical creatures, Axl and Beatrice grapple with the nature of memory and the power of forgetting. Along the way, they confront the consequences of their own actions and the actions of those who came before them.
Ishiguro’s prose is spare and elegant, conveying complex emotions and ideas with a deft touch. Through Axl and Beatrice’s journey, he explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition, asking readers to consider what it means to remember and what it means to forget.
The Allegorical Elements of ‘The Buried Giant’
The Mist of Forgetfulness
One of the most prominent allegorical elements in ‘The Buried Giant’ is the mist of forgetfulness. The mist symbolizes the collective forgetfulness that has plagued the land and its inhabitants. The mist not only covers the ground but also people’s minds, making them forget things they once knew or events that happened recently. Axl mentions that “it’s queer the way the world’s forgetting people and things from only yesterday and the day before.” The mist represents the human tendency to forget the past and the importance of collective memory.
The Boatman and Crossing
Another allegorical element in ‘The Buried Giant’ is the boatman and crossing. The boatman symbolizes the transition from life to death. The crossing represents the journey of life and the challenges that one faces along the way. The boatman’s role is to guide the characters across the river, which represents the threshold between life and death. The crossing represents the challenges that one must face in life and the choices that one must make.
The Dragon Querig
The dragon Querig is another allegorical element in ‘The Buried Giant.’ Querig represents the destructive power of memory. The dragon’s breath causes forgetfulness and erases memories. Querig is a metaphor for the damage that can be caused by remembering painful events or holding onto grudges. The dragon’s defeat represents the characters’ ability to let go of the past and move forward.
Characters as Allegorical Figures
Axl and Beatrice’s Relationship
Axl and Beatrice, the elderly couple at the center of the story, represent the fragility of memory and the power of love to overcome it. Their journey to find their son is a metaphor for the human quest for meaning and purpose. Their relationship is the anchor that holds the story together and gives it emotional resonance.
The Warrior Wistan
Wistan, a Saxon warrior, represents the struggle for justice and the need to confront the past in order to move forward. His mission to kill the dragon Querig is a symbol of the need to face one’s fears and overcome them. His relationship with Sir Gawain represents the tension between tradition and progress.
The Knight Gawain
Sir Gawain, the legendary knight of King Arthur’s Round Table, represents the fading glory of the past and the need to adapt to changing times. His journey to find the dragon Querig is a symbol of the search for meaning in a world that has lost its way. His relationship with Wistan represents the tension between loyalty and independence.
Themes and Motifs
Memory and Forgetting
Memory and forgetting are the central themes of “The Buried Giant”. The mist that covers the land and people’s minds serves as a symbol of forgetfulness. The characters in the novel struggle to remember their past and the events that led to their current state. The mist makes them forget things they once knew or events which have happened recently. The loss of memory is portrayed as both a blessing and a curse, as it allows characters to move on from past traumas but also prevents them from learning from their mistakes.
War and Peace
Another key theme in “The Buried Giant” is war and peace. The novel is set in a post-Arthurian Britain, where the Saxons and the Britons are at peace, but tensions still exist between them. The novel explores the consequences of war and the importance of peace. It also highlights the role of memory in perpetuating conflicts and the need to let go of past grievances to achieve lasting peace.
Love and Loss
Love and loss are intertwined themes in “The Buried Giant”. The novel follows the journey of an elderly couple, Axl and Beatrice, as they search for their son. Their journey is a metaphor for the search for lost love and the pain of separation. The novel explores the different forms of love, including romantic love, familial love, and the love between friends. It also highlights the inevitability of loss and the importance of cherishing the memories of those we have lost.
Historical and Mythological References
Arthurian Legend
As a writer, Kazuo Ishiguro often draws inspiration from British history and mythology. His latest novel, “The Buried Giant,” is no exception. The novel is set in a fantastical version of medieval England, and it draws heavily from the Arthurian legend. Sir Gawain, one of King Arthur’s knights, makes an appearance in the novel. He is portrayed as an ancient knight in rusted mail armor, and he plays a key role in the story.
Saxon-Briton Conflicts
In addition to the Arthurian legend, “The Buried Giant” also touches on the historical conflicts between the Saxons and Britons. The novel is set in a time when the Saxons had conquered much of Britain, and the Britons were struggling to maintain their identity and culture. Ishiguro’s portrayal of the Saxon-Briton conflicts is nuanced and complex, and it adds depth and richness to the story.
Literary Analysis of Narrative Structure
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro is a complex allegory that explores the themes of memory, love, and loss. The novel’s narrative structure is non-linear, as it moves back and forth between different time periods and perspectives. This structure allows Ishiguro to create a sense of mystery and intrigue, as the reader is constantly trying to piece together the story’s various threads.
One of the most striking aspects of the novel’s narrative structure is its use of multiple narrators. The story is told from the perspectives of Axl and Beatrice, an elderly couple who are searching for their son, as well as several other characters they encounter along the way. This technique allows Ishiguro to explore different facets of the story’s themes, as each character brings their own perspective and experiences to the narrative.
Another important element of the novel’s narrative structure is its use of flashbacks and dream sequences. These devices allow Ishiguro to explore the characters’ memories and the events that have shaped their lives. They also create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, as it is often unclear whether the events being described are real or imagined.
Ishiguro’s Style and Language Choices
Kazuo Ishiguro is known for his understated style and language choices, which are evident in his novel “The Buried Giant.” He uses simple and straightforward language to convey complex themes and emotions.
Ishiguro’s writing style is characterized by its subtlety and nuance. He employs a lot of understatement, leaving much unsaid and allowing the reader to read between the lines. This approach creates a sense of ambiguity, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions and interpretations.
In “The Buried Giant,” Ishiguro uses allegory to explore themes of memory, love, and loss. He employs a lot of symbolism, using objects and characters to represent abstract concepts. For example, the titular “buried giant” represents the forgotten past and the dangers of forgetting.
Critical Reception and Interpretations
Critics have had mixed reactions to “The Buried Giant.” Some have praised Ishiguro’s ability to blend genres and themes, while others have criticized the book as being slow-paced and lacking in action. However, most agree that the novel is an allegory for memory, forgetting, and the nature of love.
One interpretation of the novel is that the “buried giant” represents the past, which is buried and forgotten but still has a profound impact on the present. This idea is reinforced by the fact that the characters in the book are unable to remember their own pasts. Another interpretation is that the book is a commentary on the nature of love and the sacrifices that people make for those they care about.
Relevance to Contemporary Society
“The Buried Giant” by Kazuo Ishiguro is a novel that explores the themes of memory, forgetting, and reconciliation. These themes are relevant to contemporary society as we continue to grapple with issues of collective memory, historical trauma, and reconciliation.
The novel’s portrayal of a society struggling to come to terms with its past and reconcile with its former enemies is particularly relevant in today’s world. As societies around the world continue to grapple with issues of reconciliation and forgiveness, “The Buried Giant” offers a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of these complex issues.
The novel’s exploration of the role of memory in shaping individual and collective identity is also highly relevant in today’s world. As societies around the world continue to grapple with issues of identity and belonging, “The Buried Giant” offers a powerful reminder of the importance of memory in shaping our sense of self and our relationships with others.