"Who is the enemy? An analysis of the ironic third person limited narration in Empire of the Sun"

Thesis:
"How does Ballard utilize irony to convey the idea that there may be more than one way to look at things (show Jim's competing and unexpected perspective towards the Japanese and Chinese).

Quotes:
“The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.” ~Ivy Baker Priest
“The enemy is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he's on.” ~Joseph Heller, Catch-22
“I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet.” ~Denis Waitely
"If you want total security, go to prison. There you're fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking... is freedom." ~Dwight D. Eisenhower
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one. ~Albert Einstein

“Not for the first time Jim realized that the Japanese, officially his enemies, offered his only protection in Shanghai.” (P.60) Here are the page numbers: 60, 78, 103, 113, 126, 180, 283, 286, 296, 304, 309, 330.

Enemies are your best friends? In J.G. Ballad’s Empire of the Sun, Jim’s perspective on the Japanese and the Chinese respectively is sharply at odds with the general opinions of other characters. In general, Ballard shows that many of the books’ characters regard the Chinese more positively than the Japanese. The Japanese as a cruel occupying force are shown to be despised by the majority of characters. Yet, Jim’s perspective on this is quite the opposite. Jim sees the Chinese very negatively. This is because his experience with the Chinese to convey the idea that things may not appear to be the same on the surface. Jim’s perspective towards the Japanese in the war is particularly significant when he sees them as heroic figures but others generally have a negative impression towards them. On the other hand, since Jim is born in a privileged family who are treated differently in Shanghai, he has a unique point of view towards the Chinese which he sees them as subordinate and servants.
Although the Japanese are "officially" the enemies, Jim identifies partly with them, both because he adores the pilots with their splendid machines and because he feels that Lunghua is still a comparatively safe place for him in these times.

Good morning Ms. Jessup and fellow classmates, the extract that I am going to unpack for you is from Chapter 16 (p.126) of Empire of The Sun by J. G. Ballard. This extract comes from late of Part 1 where Jim, the protagonist who is separated from his parents, has already met Basie and Dr. Ransome before arriving at Lunghua Camp. Through the use of irony in Jim’s third person limited narration, this extract illustrates the notion of appearance versus reality.

In this extract, the idea that things may not seem as it appear on the surface is conveyed through Ballard’s use of Jim’s ironic perspective. In line 8, the fact that “he was moving towards the open countryside, and the welcoming world of the prison camps” is ironic. The alliteration of “welcoming world” catches the reader’s attention to the irony that Jim sees the “prison camps” as an adventure other than something undesirable and unfavourable. In line 19 of the extract, the narrator states the fact that “the small English boy would have been killed for his shoes within minutes. Now he was safe, guarded by the Japanese soldiers.” Here, Ballard effectively utilizes the irony of Jim, as a foreigner living in Shanghai, feeling more safe and secure under the imprisonment of the Japanese soldiers since at least he do not have to take the risk of “being killed for his shoes”. Before the war, his privilege marked him as a victim in Shanghai; however, the imprisonment ironically saved him from the danger out in the streets. The use of irony here reinforces the idea that things may appear to be different when viewing at a different perspective.

Through the use of ironic third person limited narration, Jim also perceives the Japanese and the Chinese in the extract that contrasts with the general impression of the war. On the way to the Lunghua Camp, at times Jim “had to hold on to the leather belt of the Japanese solider beside him”, this symbolizes Jim’s trust and reliability on the Japanese. On the other hand, Ballard utilizes the irony that “the small English boy would have been killed for his shoes within minutes” to imply criticism towards the Chinese during the war since that particular example indicates the rudeness and negative impression of the Chinese.

Moreover, Ballard made use of imagery in this extract to illustrate the idea of appearances versus reality. Many would criticize the Japanese for their cruelty and cold-blooded actions during the war and would pay sympathy towards the Chinese. However, the strong imagery of decay utilized in the extract suggests a contrary perspective. Images such as “an area of tenements and derelict cotton mills”, “shanty towns built on the banks of black canals”, “shuttered pawnshops…abandoned radio and cigarette factories…Chinese puppet troops” are used to demonstrate the negative side of the Chinese during the war. Ballard’s use of the word “relished” is shocking because it emphasizes on the irony of Jim’s feeling of enjoyment and appreciation towards the camp. Furthermore, the sensory imagery of “foetid air, the smell of human fertilizer from the open sewage” reinforced Jim’s positive impression towards the Japanese. Therefore, these ironic images highlight the notion that things may not seem as they appear on the surface.

Therefore, what is significant about this extract is through the use of irony in third person limited narration, the main theme of reality may sometimes appear to be different from its appearance is delivered.

Moreover, through the third person limited narration, Ballard also expresses the irony Jim’s growing up in the war. At the beginning of the war, Jim’s perspective on the Chinese is “But if war came, could they (chinese) beat the Japanese? Jim doubted it, and he knew that his father doubted it too.” (p.24)

“Jim glanced at the people around him, the clerks and coolies and peasant women, well aware of what they were thinking. One day China would punish the rest of the world, and take a frightening revenge.” (p.351) contrast with
“But if war came, could they (Chinese) beat the Japanese? Jim doubted it, and he knew that his father doubted it too.” (p.24)
Jim once saw the role of the Chinese people as Amahs, beggars and acrobats, but here conveys a sense of admiration and respect.
Jim’s view of China: shows his mature perspective – he looks to the future.
Irony of growing up…
“Although he was hungry all the time, he was happy to be in the detention centre.” The use of irony is interesting because it makes the reader think about exactly what Ballard is saying, and makes them realize that at the time the people there may have had to use irony at the time to help them to survive.