9. Speak on the functions of the title.

The Invisible Japanese Gentlemen

Under the net

Summary of the story:

The story is written by Graham Green and tells us about a young couple who is going to marry: a girl, the future writer, and her fiancé who is dependant on her. We become aware of their plans and expectations during reading the story.

The novel is written by Iris Murdoch and tells us about Jake Donahue’s humorous adventures, he tries to find his way in this life, returning back to his previous life experience and memories.

Narration:

The story is told from the 1^st person point of view which allows the narrator be more objective, to observe better than his protagonist and reveal her personality.

The novel is told from the 1^st person point of view and allows the reader access to the inner world of the protagonist.

Development (body):

The title immediately arouses interest in the reader. At once it focuses our attention on Japanese Gentlemen who are the symbol and point of understanding of the story.

Having read the story, we can say that the title disorientated us, because these Japanese Gentlemen are mentioned in the story only twice. But it attracts our attention to the most relevant details, indeed. As the title is interpreted as an indirect expression of the author’s idea. The title orientates the reader toward the story, in that it helps to disclose the protagonist’s personality.

The story starts with meeting Japanese Gentlemen and ends with their leaving restaurant. At once we’re interested in their role in the story due to the story, as well as the girl should have noticed them as a good writer notices everything, any details and peculiarities. But, indeed, she thinks only about her future career, money she will get from her books, number of copies her books will be published in.

That’s why the author is sure in her not being a promising author and doubts her expectations to become true. As sitting next to the Japanese Gentlemen, she doesn’t notice how nice and polite they are, doesn’t notice their unique and polite manner of communication. If she doesn’t notice that which lies in front of her, then how she will be able to look into things deeper.

In addition, the title of the story is symbolic, and this symbol is reflected in girl’s not being able to observe, though “her publisher said she had such powers of observation”

Besides the protagonist’s personality and skills as a writer are shown through the titles of her own books. I suppose the author points out the titles of her books with a special intention. The girl changes the title of her first book as her publisher asked her about it. Even if the title doesn’t reflect the essence of her book, the most important is that it reflects her future as a great writer. And the title of her second book “The Azure Blue” show her inattentive attitude to her work, as how even her husband notices, azure is already blue.

The title can be interpreted as a direct expression of the author’s idea, which is explained during the whole novel.

The title is essential for understanding the meaning of the novel as it is devoted to development of the protagonist’s personality. Jake spends his life doing little of work, because he doesn’t believe in his talent of a writer. He lives in different places for free and doesn’t burden himself with any responsibilities of relationship.

The title orientates the reader toward the novel in that it helps to disclose the hero’s personality. First of all it should be mentioned that Jake is a wise person, he realizes his not being perfect in many things, but he wants to improve and doesn’t deny its importance for him. It is not in his nature to make himself responsible for other people, because he is not responsible even for himself. He is like a parasite, hates living in a strange house, because he loves to be protected. His nature is contradictive. Probably that’s why it’s difficult for him to be more invariable in his intentions and actions.

I would say the title has several meanings. People constantly make choices. During his adventures Jake understands that to change his life and to make it better he should return back to his past and make choices constantly. His way is hard, but he is determined not to stay ‘under the net’ any more. He says we must be ruled by the situation. As it is said – don’t find yourself in a situation but create it. And Jake tried to become independent from the ‘net’ – people’s attitude to him, opinions, concepts. The title encourages us to think about our personality and role in this life, maybe we should change something in ourselves and then we’ll find a new life, which we will like and deserve. As he said: “Life has to be lived, and to be live it has to be understood.”

And I’m really proud of Jake’s being able to sort out things and become that man he really is: talented and shrewd.

Conclusion (summing up and personal impression):

The story made a favourable impression on me because the it is about the problem of choice in people’s life, especially about choices we make in youth, about that naïve attitude that youth usually has towards their great future, not trying even to estimate its possibilities and save and improve what it already has. Above all, the author skillfully veils the meaning and functions of the title and creates a realistic portrayal of the egoistic and too presumptuous girl. Moreover the author has a keen eye for exact and concrete details.

To sum up, the function of the title in this story is many siding. As it serves to convey the author’s message, is essential for understanding the protagonist’s personality and the meaning of the story on the whole.

I liked the novel since reading the title which is thought-provoking and challenging. The novel is philosophical and allows us look deeper not only into Jake’s personality but in our one as well.