Asian Literature

It is the capacity to create an active environment for readers to participate and recreate the scenarios of the past and present alongside the ability to merge and reproduce insights of the characters intention are what makes Shusaku Endos work When I Whistle address the themes presented in the story. Such process not only provides a narrative of the story of the two distinct protagonists in the story but also finds a way to recreate a connection and transcendence to each one. Thus, it is by exploring such literary techniques and changing the mood of the story that Endo was able to address meeting the themes of the book.
    Reflecting on story, it can be seen that the capacity of Endo to use literary themes such as flashback is one example of how to address the development of the theme in the story. It involves the representation of the first persona Ozu who has been characterized in the book as an underachiever whose business did not really succeed. In such direction, the author first introduces the character then sets the readers to re-examine his life in the past with key characters such as Flatfish and Aiko.
    It is in this time that the readers are taken back to the old Japanese era wherein conventions and standards coexisted with the culture itself. In portraying this theme, Endo captivates readers with literary techniques that seek to legitimize the use of a sad tone. This melancholic manner of portrayal then showcases and highlights the problems faced by Ozu and justify the situations happening in his life at the present. This can also be seen as the author seeks to provide a glimpse of the sad memory that the characters felt especially during the onset of the attacks in Pearl Harbor.
    On the other hand, a new perspective comes into the picture with the introduction of Eichi. As the story progresses, Endo makes a good justification not to introduce the character of Eichi as the son of Ozu as it makes the culminating point of convergence in the story. Prior to this introduction, he is known as an ambitious doctor seeking to compensate and learn from the mistake of his family concerning the value of status. It is through such analogy that the method of delivery is different from the manner in which Ozus character is depicted.
    Elaborating on this idea further, the manner in which Eichi is portrayed seeks to create something more professional. This straightforward and simple way of how the character is deduced provides readers the seriousness Eichi needs. In turn, it also fosters a redefinition about the difference between Ozu as the author makes a point and links their ideals and differences in the middle of the story. It is through such manner that the book seeks to assume its main plot and redefines the way readers understand each characters plight.
    Another way that Endo was able to the theme of the story was the ability to converge the two different characters together. In here, the hospital scene where Eichi works serves as the transformation of the story from two contrasting personalities towards understanding the questions posed by the readers at the start of the book. Despite their conveying variations in the way they are portrayed, they continue to exhibit the same blood. It is through this that the readers now begin to understand the way life has changed through the years.
    Lastly, alongside the use of literary devices, Endos usage of effective word choices and eloquent manner of writing that distinguishes between the two characters is what makes the theme apparent to readers. Under this process, it gives readers the overall idea of what goes on not only in the given scenarios and environment of the protagonists but also instill the appropriate values that each one tries to pursue. In here, the functions of these traits seek to exemplify and illustrate how it has changed and molded characters for who they are. It is through such immersions that Endo was able to justify the way each character responded to situations and how they became adaptive to their given environment.
    Due to this, it can be surmised that the climax of the story is a good point where readers would realize the theme of the story. It is through such further reading that each one can deduce the value and significance of the intentions posed by Ozu and Eichi and how their individual aspirations have led towards their particular reactions. It is through such essence that the ending of the story also have resulted in such manner. Here, we can see Endo ending Ozus story in a more traditional manner wherein the narrative remains simple and humane. On the other hand, Eichis story remains open-ended not knowing what will happen to the character. It is through such transcendence that the book gives emphasis on what shall happen to its characters.
    Overall, Endos analogy uses the variation of time and thus becomes an important component to dictate the theme of the book. In here, he was able to differentiate and link the two characters story by using time. With the application of this concept, it can help readers understand that the shift in ideals and values have also resulted in the process. In here, it can be seen that Ozu represents the traditional Japanese society who has been adherent to social customs and standards. On the other hand, Eichi represents modernity with the adherence to Western ideals. Such evidences can be seen in the way each one addresses the situations surrounding them and the way they treat every important decisions they make in their respective lives.