THE POETICS OF CHARACTERS IN KAZUO ISHIGURO’S WORKS

Abstract

This article explores the poetics of characters in the literary works of Kazuo Ishiguro, with particular focus on his novels The Remains of the Day, Never Let Me Go, and An Artist of the Floating World. The study examines how Ishiguro constructs psychologically complex, often unreliable narrators whose inner conflicts and suppressed emotions reveal deeper philosophical questions about memory, identity, and moral responsibility. The analysis is grounded in narrative theory and character typology, tracing how Ishiguro’s restrained, minimalist prose contributes to the ambiguity and emotional depth of his protagonists. By examining the interplay between voice, silence, and narrative perspective, the article reveals how the poetics of Ishiguro’s characters reflect broader postmodern concerns about truth, fragmentation, and the human condition. Ultimately, the article argues that Ishiguro’s unique character construction offers a subtle but powerful critique of historical revisionism, personal regret, and the loss of agency in contemporary life.