There was a time when I was your son. There was a time that I no longer remember when you used to smile a mother's smile and tell me stories about gallant and fierce warriors who protected their lords with blades of shining steel and about the old woman who found a peach in the stream and too took it home and, when her husband split it in half, a husky little boy tumbled out to fill their hearts with boundless joy. I was that boy in the peach and you were the old woman and we were Japanese...(15)
Well, I was that boy too. Momotaro is a classic Japanese folk tale, a book version of which my mother gave me when I was in first grade. In fact, for Halloween at my elementary school that year I came dressed up as the famous peach boy. You can bet there was nobody else in Winthrop, Massachusetts, 1964, wearing that costume. I would have preferred having had a Batman or Superman costume and not some weird foreign costume with miniature samurai swords stick in a sash around my waist.
No-No Boy is many things: a historical novel about an event and time that is rarely written about; an immigrant story; a story about what it means to be American. The book, originally published in 1957, disappeared quickly, rejected by the exact audience one would think would have devoured it—Japanese Americans. It was rediscovered in the 1970s by a group of young Asian American writers and has not been out of print since. It is a classic of post war American literature. As playwright Frank Chin writes in the afterward of the novel: "Back in 1957 John said things Asian Americans are afraid to think, much less say today [1976]. Things that every yellow feels. I've known all my life that I am not Chinese and I am not white American. I was brought up to believe there was nothing else for me to be but a Chinese foreigner or a fake white American...The [1920's] produced a generation of Asian Americans who didn't know who they were. We still don't. John Okada shows the 'identity crisis' to be both totally real and absolutely fake in a book that is still too strong for many yellows to read." I don't know if Asian Americans feel this way today, 37 years later: maybe we'll talk about this. I do know I did—my generation, the children of Ichiro's generation, many of whom only learned of that time in American history from school. Much as you learned of it.
Enough of me. Some questions for you:
1. Reactions to the novel so far?
2. What moment or scene especially jumped out at you—and why? Quote in your reponse.
3. Finish this statement: Ichiro Yamada is ____________. And then explain your statement.
Finally: go this site. It has good pictures of what we will talk about in the novel, and shows where the film we watched clips from today—Come See The Paradise (1990)—got many of its images. In particular, the banner in the window of the business that reads I AM AN AMERICAN, and the picture of the little girls waiting to get on the buses, the white tags pinned to them.
Hang in there guys: 50 more minutes of me, and then you have a week off.
1. I haven't enjoyed this novel very much up to this point. It's much to early for me to even think of passing a final verdict of course, but I'm having trouble focusing on what the book is trying to get across. Additionally I am struggling to find anything compelling about the story, based on the fact that every single character we have met so far is deeply flawed in very obvious ways. It seems that the book is doing its best to make me dislike Ichiro, his parents, his siblings, and even the friends of the family in only twenty-five pages. Not once did I note anything that I found particularly interesting about any of the characters and the moments that I found myself able to focus best were in the sections in which the descriptions of areas and historic events took place. I wouldn't say that I'm not enjoying it because I don't think it has a point, or that it isn't relevant, but it does seem that it has started in such a depressing and removed way that it was hard for me to push through this initial reading.
ReplyDelete2. The moment that stuck out to me the most was in the preface. The American's reaction to the Japanese-American's description of what had happened to his people. The American's reaction was one of very few moments in the reading so far that stuck out to me as a moment that I could associate myself with. He says, "If they had done that to me, I wouldn't be sitting in the belly of a broken down B-24 going back to Guam from a reconnaissance mission to Japan." (xi) His disbelief that the Japanese-American would join the military after such intense discrimination is the only point that has been made so far that resonated with me. Rather than not believing he would join the war-effort because he was japanese, and should respect his "homeland" but because he had suffered at the hands of the American Government.
3. Ichiro Yamada is broken. It seems that after all these years, his regret and separation from society due to his jail time seem to have left him a husk of the man he was before. The old Ichiro is talked about as if he were motivated and an excellent student who respected his family and did his best, but the new Ichiro seems to have none of these attributes. Instead he is the type of man who chain smokes cigarettes all day and leaves the butts littering the floor. He is a shadow of who he used to be, and has been made this way by his regret and hate that were bred during his time in prison, and that have only gotten worse in his return to his family.
1. The story has just begun and the turmoil in the air and inside the hearts of people are tremendous. I also have to agree with Andrew that each character is flawed in many ways. We see that Ichiro is struggling within himself. He is clearly the main character but bonding with him is not easy. The atmosphere is full of tension from the war and many people like his parents and their friends are confused on what has happened in the end. Reality will come crashing down and I sense the Japanese boats from south American will not be coming. Everything is so disorganized. The book has been choppy and out of place. I think this represents Ichiro's state of mind. After following him around we realize the young men that have seen what has truly happened in the war are struggling with their lives and what they will do. The racial tension is thick.
ReplyDelete2. With this intense racism present I thought it was curious the author would throw in the scene of the pool parlor. It makes a strong point that at the time Japanese were seen as even lower than black people. The hate of a different race spans the entire country and anyone that isn't Japanese seems to be able to join in. I was stunned in the boldness of the black people putting Ichrio down as he walked past: "The white teeth and brown-black leers picked up the cue and jigger to the rhythmical chanting of 'Jap-boy, To-ki-yo; Jap-boy, To-ki-yo,,,'" (5). The insensitivity is amazing and one would think that Ichiro would stand up to it but instead he just walks faster. This war and incredible aftermath seemed to break the once very prosperous and happy people. Hatred for these people has made America cold at heart. The Japanese feel this in their everyday lives even just walking down the streets they are harassed.
3. Struggling. He knows what has happened in the war and accepted the Japanese lost. He is well aware what the America has done to his people and what they will continue to do but he still takes no action. We see him think about running and never coming back. His parents do not realize that hope is lost. His parents do not realize they must begin a new life. They are stuck in the past and therefore so is Ichiro. He is half American and Half Japanese. This is what causes his internal struggle. Ichiro's American side that loved the home that he grew up in has deserted him based on just how he looks and where his ancestors came from. While the Japanese have lost the war and have done nothing to help their people that are trapped in America. Ichiro can not decide which half he is more loyal to and it is tearing him apart.
The book has a lot of deep subjects that it is beginning to touch on, and I am interested to see how they will go. The scene with Ichiro meeting his parents made me very sad, the way they almost did not know how to act around him, maybe because of what he did, or maybe because of his absence for so long. I respect him in an odd way the way he is able to stand by what he did, even when his own people spit in his face and he feels shunned by his parents. I think he has anger that grew in him from the time he spent in prison for refusing to follow a country who ostracized him. That anger leads him to feel unloved by his parents and the people around him. I believe this book is going to be a commentary on that forgiveness and struggle he faces.
ReplyDelete2. The scene that I found interesting was the scene with the letter his mom presented to him. The real distance and separation between his mother's generation and his generation is apparent when he asks her, "What does it say?". Ichiro struggles with rejecting his family, but still wanting to hold onto his heritage in a way. He is ashamed, but at the same time dignified with who he is.
3. Restless. He is restless with his family, the life now set out in front of him, and the past he left behind. He feels cheated out of a young life that he deserved, simply because of his skin color. At the same time he wants to make something of himself with the life he now has left. He is angry at his own country, but wants to make something of himself. His american dream was taken from him and he is restless to find a new one.
1. Like Graham said, this book is really choppy and messy. The little rants that Ichiro has about not being his mothers son anymore and about life in Seattle right now and how angry he is come off as really intense and there is a lot of built up anger in him. I like how we’re able to see such distinct characteristics about the characters and the surrounding neighborhood and I like how clear the relationships are between Ichiro and his mother, father, brother, etc. So far I think its pretty interesting and it depicts immigrant life fairly accurately.
ReplyDelete2. The moment that stuck out to me was when he was talking about being neither American nor Japanese and Ichiro said “But it is not enough to be American only in the eyes of the law and it is not enough to be only half an American and know that it is an empty half. I am not your son and I am not Japanese and I am not American” (16). I thought what he was saying about being Japanese or being American and not knowing which half to become more of and which half was the right half was really interesting. He’s suffering a major identity crisis in a time where people are turning to their country for support and leadership and here Ichiro is, a man without a country.
3. Ichiro Yamada is lost. He doesn’t know where he belongs and no one is helping him find his place. He struggles with identity and he doesn’t know who he is anymore. He doesn’t agree with his parents, he’s angry about everything and doesn’t have anything or anyone to turn to. He doesn’t even identify himself with his family anymore and he feels like he doesn’t belong wherever he goes.
1. I like the book so far. As others have said, it seems a bit jumbled and ranty at times, but I think that Okada does a good job of conveying how Ichiro thinks. Just like Esther was a very calm and clever speaker, Ichiro is a bit frenzied and definitely angry. It’s also clear that this is going to be another book with many dark elements. It must be horrifying to come home to a family that you feel disconnected with in a country that you feel is completely against you after having lost 4 years of your life. I’m looking foreword to seeing whether things will get better or worse for Ichiro.
ReplyDelete2. The moment that jumped out at me was when Ichiro’s mother read the letter to him. “Heed not the propaganda of the radio and newspapers which endeavor to convince the people with lies about the allied victory”(14). I had no idea that people were so convinced that the allies had lost at that time. I suppose it must’ve been much easier to trick people with information like that back then. It was sad to see the mother so convinced that all of it was true. As mad as Ichiro is at her for raising him to be stubbornly loyal to Japan, he must feel some remorse. This whole family is such a sad picture. The timid father washing the dishes and saying that they’ll go back to Japan “Pretty soon,”(20), the brother who is giving up on education, and the mother who clearly loves her son but is quite delusional in her aspirations are all pretty pitiful. And then there’s Ichiro who’s just mad at all of them and everyone else.
3. Ichiro Yamada is angry. He’s angry at everything and everyone because he has nothing in particular to blame. The loss of 4 years of his life was completely senseless. I imagine that I would feel the same way. The other words that people have used fit well and tie in with this idea. He’s lost and confused about what to do. He assigns blame (some of it is probably warranted; some of it may or may not be) with nothing else to do. I hope that he’s able to find some resolution by the end of the book.
1. I was shocked to see the amount of hostility shown by all of the characters. I find it interesting to see how the hate of two nations is shown in one family. I find the ethical struggle inside of Ichiro interesting because he truly is not sure who he is or where he belongs. I find the book very interesting because it is a topic I don’t usually think about. I also find it interesting because it is a very indignant issue that these people were treated like this. I think that the injustice here is clearly reflected in Ichiro.
ReplyDelete2. I was pretty astonished by the scene in which Ichiro interacts with his brother. This scene was shocking to be because it showed that such a conflict can destroy one of the closes bonds, brotherhood. I think that it is devastating to see his own brother feel “unmistakable embarrassment” (17) toward his own brother. I have a strong relationship with my brother and I cannot imagine what is horrible enough to drive these two peoples so far away from each other. I can see that the events that occurred in those 2 years change the relationships of these characters until they are irreversible.
3. Ichiro Yamada is lost. I think that after two years of hell, he has returned to a world he no longer know and everything about his past self is gone. He despises his family and he is unsure of who he is . I think that he is looking for an answer but at the same time he is rejecting everything around him. I think that he is so lost that he does not know that instead of looking for comfort he is pushing everything away.
1. I enjoy the novel so far. However I did keep getting confused throughout different parts because I kept thinking the book was in first person and then all of a sudden it was in third person. Overall, I really enjoyed what I’ve read so far. It’s very different than any other book we’ve read so far, unattached and yet filled with emotion somehow. I really liked seeing the relationship Ichiro has with his brother (however brief that scene is) compared to his relationship with his father and mother.
ReplyDelete2. The scene in which Ichiro and his mother are meeting with their neighbors: “It is not enough that they take up arms against their uncles and cousins and even brothers and sisters, but they no longer have respect for the old ones. If I had a son and he had gone in the American army to fight Japan, I would have killed myself with shame” (23). I found this quote very poignant and interesting to read for me. It was hard to read just because of the pure anger this mother hypothetically feels towards her child. I understand her sense of abandonment, yet I feel as though this is too harsh of a response.
3. Ichiro Yamada is confused and unsatisfied. He has been thrown into a world he once knew, but it is different from when he last saw it. His family is the same, and that angers him that they have not changed nor become more open-minded. He wants them to change with the world around them yet he does not want the world around him to change.
1. I'm not sure how I feel about the book yet. It's a bit confusing and choppy but definitely intriguing. Key issues are touched on right away with immigrant life at this time which is definitely keeping me interested to see where the story goes. The reading does a good job at introducing Ichiro's relationship to his family, specifically with his mom.
ReplyDelete2.The moment that stuck out to me was with his mom and the letter. There's a huge gap between his mom and him and we can really see that through her anger. She has a lot of hatred towards the new generation of Japanese and their "abandonment" of their country and this is exactly what Ichiro is struggling with- where his loyalty and identity lies.
3. Confused. He's a having an identity crisis and understandably so. He has no idea who he is. He is truly caught in-between where he is and where he comes from and he doesn't know what that even means.
1. The narrative so far feels very unorganized and a bit confusing, but to me that makes it seem even more like it's real and it is what is actually going on inside Ichiro's head. He's not really sure himself of what is going on, and having this shaky narrative gives the same sensation to the reader. The novel just dropped right into the action and let the reader figure out what was going on based on the preface, which I think adds a lot to what we've read. The sort of sudden start to the story makes it seem like there is something pressing about this narrative, and it adds a layer of intrigue to continue reading about this young man.
ReplyDelete2. What stood out to me was the glimpses into the relationship between Ichiro and his mother. His mother is very proud of her country and still feels aligned with it, but Ichiro "could not know what it was to be Japanese who breathed the air of America and yet had never lifted a foot from the land that was Japan." (11) Ichiro is supposed to feel this same kind of alignment with his family's country, and when he attempted to do that by saying no to those two questions, he was punished for it. His mother didn't seem to respond to Ichiro's brave, patriotic actions even though they were serving to her and her beliefs. There's a divide between to two that not even self sacrifice can seem to mend.
3. I think that Ichiro is jolted. He's been dropped back in the world and arrived to insults and cold mothers. He was punished for what he thought was the right thing to do as a Japanese-American and what his mother wanted him to do. He's getting conflicted messages from everyone in his life, and I think he's confused and too startled to make any kind of conclusion about what is going on in his life.
1. The novel is very uniquely written. So far, this book has been different than the rest of the book that we have read. Though Okada’s wordings are chaotic and jumbled up, I think that it only helps to convey the complexity of Ichiro’s dilemma, and his struggle to grasp his situation as a whole. Struggles in life are never black and white, as we have just seen in Drama City, and the characters in the novel are presented in a more humanistic way. These people’s feelings are incredibly mixed and we become lost in a forest of words because they are lost in their world. Although the novel has started off as dark and depressing, it is nevertheless interesting, and I have found it easy to read through.
ReplyDelete2. “You believe that?” (13) Perhaps the most mind-boggling thing that I found in this novel was the older generation’s belief that they were absolutely right and the younger generation was absolutely wrong. They refuse to listen to anybody but themselves, and deny facts as “propaganda.” (22) Even when they are given pictures and firsthand accounts, from their very own children, that Japan has lost, they trust a letter (or rather, want to trust a letter and are using it as an excuse to pursue their own beliefs) from some “friend” in South America more than they trust a family member. I was in utter disbelief that they were in utter disbelief of such an obvious fact. Old traditions may die hard, but it still annoyed me that they cannot accept the fact that they are wrong. Perhaps it is the hope that what they have worked and dreamed so hard for, only to come crushing down on them, that fuels the denial.
3. Ichiro is trapped in a state of limbo between what he sees as two antonymous worlds. There is his mother on one side, the Japanese nationalist, and the outside world on the other side, supporting America (and therefore, hating Japan).He doesn’t know how much of each, if either, he is. His debate with himself of who he is and what he is identified as illustrates his ill fit into this world. He doesn’t belong with his family or any group of people he would ever interact with, and I imagine that would be terrifying.
1. I really like the novel so far. As John said, it expresses opinions and topics that are rarely written about. The style of the writing is a little choppy but I think the plot is easy to follow. I like that the story takes place after the war. Ichiro's dilema seems to be even more complicated now then how it was during the war. I look forward to finding out where the story goes.
ReplyDelete2. The scene that stuck out to me the most was in the beginning when Ichiro runs into Eto. Eto is so friendly at first, but as soon as he realizes that Ichiro was a no-no boy, the situation changes dramatically: "The hate-churned eyes with the stamp of unrelenting condemnation were his cross and he had driven the nails with his own hands" (40. I thought this was a very interesting way to introduce the major decision that Ichiro made. Ichiro expected the hate from Eto, and it seemed like he felt that he deserved it. This also drew me in because I was curious why Eto would hate a no-no boy so much.
3. Ichiro Yamada is scared. He seems to have no clue what he is going to do or what his family will do. He has a terrible relationship with his family, and he is hated by many. He doesn't know who he is and he feels like he doesn't have a home. At this point he has only expressed this fear through anger, but I do think he is genuinely afraid.
So far so good. It definitely feels dense and like its riding on the jet stream of Ichiro's thoughts, except there's a lot of turbulence. Obviously he has a civil war going on in his brain, but a lot of the conflicts are things I can relate to, at least to a certain extent. Unlike Ichiro, being split between two countries hasn't traumatized me. The oppressiveness of the parents, regardless of the cultural backdrop are also things that run parallel to the lives of so many people.
ReplyDeleteMama Yamada could be my own mother. "a Japanese who breathed the air of America and yet had never lifted a foot from the land that was Japan". She is so strongly rooted in her ways to the point where it hinders her ability to communicate with her son. She is so attached to the past that she doesnt even see time go by. That mind set is so telling of the kind of reign she has over the household and the hinderance it has left on Ichiro, who is trying so hard to figure out who he is.
Ichiro Yamata didn't go to war because he was busy fighting one in his own head. He can't decide which side to choose, or if he should choose. He can't figure out what the right thing to do would be for the right reasons. He can't he know if he's never been to Japan, he is only aware of what he sees in his mother.
1. I love the book so far-- it's so fascinating to see this perspective of America. It is very relevant to my family and their aspirations of coming to America. Why come to America? How do you stay so tied to your home county? Why wouldn't you just go back if you miss it so much? These questions that have already popped up in the first few pages captured my interest right away. it's hard to understand the culture of first generation immigrant because sometimes because of their extreme loyalty to the very country they left. The writing style is interesting. The sentences are very long (sometimes a whole paragraph) and there is a lot of repetition of words and phrases. It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the novel plays out.
ReplyDelete2. The line that really stuck with me was actually in the preface."The Japanese who were born Americans and remained Japanese because biology does not know the meaning of patriotism no longer worried about whether they were Japanese-American or American-Japanese"(viii). I found my self re-reading this line over and over because it is so true. Biology is at fault-- it doesn't understand the intricacy of how people view each other. It's a part of my life that will always be there. People try to categorize you into known stereotypes. It's automatic. This line is very powerful.
3. Ichiro Yamada is bitter. He holds so much anger and hatred towards the two worlds that are pulling him in opposite directions. He cannot follow one path and not betray the other. It is something completely out of his control, and he internalizes it, and that anger and frustration ferments into bitterness.
So far I'm not so sure how I feel about this novel. As far as the style of writing goes, I would have to say that I really do not like it. The way Ichiro goes off on tangents throughout scenes makes it very hard for me to follow, and because of this I have found myself fairly confused up to this point. Of course I will probably get used to this style of writing as we go along. As far as the content, the book from the very beginning really gives off a sense of hopelessness, but more so than that a sense of confusion. Obviously there is a disconnect between the Japanese lifestyle and the American lifestyle, and from the beginning the novel presents that struggle and question of balance between these two in this world that they live in. So, I found the beginning as a very heavy, almost depressing way to start the novel, but at the same time I feel that this needs to be so in order to convey the real message and present the true problem.
ReplyDeleteThe scene that really jumped out at me was the scene with Eto, how at first he treats him as a long time friend and then how he does a complete 180 turn after learning that he was a no-no boy. "'What the hell. Let's have a drink. On me.[...]Rotten bastard. Shit on you.'" (3-4). This scene really stuck out at me because very early on in the book it presents this disconnect between the Japanese and the Americans, as well as American influence on the Japanese and where it overlaps. One society contradicts the other, and because of this there are situations such as the one we see so early on in the book. When one Japanese arguably under this American influence hears of another Japanese who takes the path to support his heritage, he treats him like garbage solely on this decision. So it's clear that it plays an important role in these Japanese American's lives and creates a disconnect.
Frustrated. I think he primarily felt that he had made the right decision in not joining the army and hence going to jail, and then after actually going to jail he of course feels that he made the wrong decision and that he should pursue this more American aspect as opposed to the Japanese aspect. He blames his mother for making him the way he was at first, and he struggles with this disconnect between the two that I talked about above. This confusion that he feels as to what is the right choice and the right path in this society he's a part of obviously drives him to find the answer to that question, and I think as he cannot find an answer he becomes frustrated.
1) The novel, to this point, isn't as appealing as the others for the simple reason that it is very difficult to find any character or situation relatable. The writing seems a bit chaotic, almost in a stream-of-consciousness kind of tone. So much tension and turmoil surround each character that the story itself feels burdened by the heavy emotions of the war. I'm quick to bash it for it's dense style, but I am eager to see what happens to Ichiro as he struggles to find acceptance in one way or another.
ReplyDelete2) The beginning of the preface stuck out to me and set the tone for the atmosphere in the novel. It's simplicity is refreshing and a bit shocking in that a single day divided a nation. Neighbors and friends were torn apart and polarized entirely. Okada talks about the switch in mood. "The indignation, the hatred, the patriotism of the American people shifted into full-throated condemnation of the Japanese who blotted their land". Before we meet any characters, we know what kind of atmosphere we are entering. This book will not be a smooth ride.
3) Isolated. Ichiro doesn't regret his decision, but he doesn't feel the acceptance and welcoming elements of the world he left that he believes he deserves. Ichiro feels detached from his family and comes to the realization that he has nothing to identify with. Ichiro's success on his path to acceptance entirely relies on his ability to find ambition within himself. He doesn't have any help along the way.
1) I definitely find this more difficult to follow than the previous books we have read in this class. I am not sure if it is the writing style or the fact that I simply cannot relate to Ichiro, as Ben said. I do find it an interesting topic though, and it is one that I have never really thought about. Living in America during that time period must have been so difficult, which is why I think Ichiro's parents are so cold and strong; they have to be.
ReplyDelete2) The scene with Eto really jumped out at me. The switch from friendliness to hostility was so quick. I think this scene does a really good job at showing the difficult and harsh things that Japanese Americans face. Eto has obviously assimilated to American culture so much that he is angry that Ichiro didn't go to war against Japan, both of their home country's. Eto goes from being kind to saying "Rotten bastard. Shit on you....Rotten, no-good bastard" (4). This is the scene that really started pushing me to realize all of the terrible things that Ichiro has to go through and how hard his life is and will continue to be.
3) Ichiro Yamada is strong. This may be a surprising word to describe him, but I find him to be very strong. The fact that he went to prison instead of war shows a lot about his character. He does not let others get him too down, like Eto, and continues to push forward. Even though I have only read 25 pages, I think that Ichiro is a very strong man.
1. So far, I really like this book. It is very interesting. Like most books, the beginning was a little confusing because like most books, it flung us into this world with which we are not familiar and do not know about. But it is very interesting to see this other side of the country, one of a minority. It is different from Raisin in the Sun.
ReplyDelete2. There were two scenes that really jumped out at me. The first one was where Eto just said “No-no boy, huh?” And then, Ichiro just got silent, like he was ashamed. And then, Eto got so mad. It was just interesting how Japanese felt differently about loyalty. The second one was where they started talking about picture of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which jumped out merely because it was talking about the atomic bombs. The families’ reactions to the pictures reminded me of the initial reaction of the Japanese government when hearing about the bomb.
3. Confused. After 4 years of being away from society, he has been flung into this world that he does not know about. And now, he is stuck between two opposing sides. His mother’s side, which insists that the Japanese won and that opposing the draft was the right thing to do. And then the American side, which hates him for being a No-no boy.
1. I like the novel so far, however it is not my favorite. I think the writing is interesting but I get lost really easily, and it forced me to read the pages over again a couple times. I like the perspective we get from this book. It is different than the other books we have read. It is more negative than we read before which is nice because the different views add more discussion to the topic of the American Dream.
ReplyDelete2.When we see the interactions between the mother and Ichiro added a lot to the book. I thought it showed the differences between growing up in America and taking it for granite and a person who appreciates the freedom, "could not know what it was to be Japanese who breathed the air of America and yet had never lifted a foot from the land that was Japan." it is different for his mother because she knows the other side, but for Ichiro it is normal, so he does not think that much of living in America.
3. stuck, because he wants to be prideful in his Japanese heritage, but at the same time he wants to be prideful in being an American. He is stuck between his two nations and is struggling to find who he is, and what and who he should stand for
I like being in Ichiro’s head as much as we are. The stream of consciousness can be confusing, but I like all the insight it gives. The stream of consciousness is like an emotional road map and makes his actions clear. In particular it is helpful to better understand the relationship Ichiro has with his mother. She is very confusing, so at least having his thoughts about his past with her and how that has affected him can also help with understanding.
ReplyDelete“A shooting gallery stood where once had been a clothing store; fish and chips had replaced a jewelry shop…Everything looked older and dirtier and shabbier.” Just as Lorenzo was shocked about how much had changed during the 8 years he was in prison, Ichiro is surprised by the changes he is finding. Ichiro’s response to the changes is angry though; everything seems to build on the guilt that he was absent for 4 years.
Ichiro is angry. He does not know how to deal with the fact that he regrets the choice he made, and now he is not sure what he wants to do with the rest of his life.
1. I love the book. Absolutely love it. Especially when I compare it to our previous book, Drama City. Where Drama City was basically just about action and contained barely any information about the characters, I feel like No-No Boy really captures Ichiro and brings his thoughts to life. I feel like I know him, and because of this, I love the book. I have a connection to it. I feel it. On top of this, the writing style is superb, with amazingly descriptive vocabulary and metaphors. Not only do I feel like I know Ichiro, but i feel like I'm in the scene. The surroundings come to life through vivid detail.
ReplyDelete2. Well, i'd say that Ichiro's encounter with his old friend was pretty sticking. It sets the stage for the kind of encounters he is bound to come across throughout the rest of the book, an issue that deeply affects Ichiro.
3. Ichiro is troubled. He is a boy who used to live a life that was largely happy and succesful, but his past has changed him; he is no longer the same person. He is quiet, contemplative, angry, sulking, and pretty damn depressed.
1) So far the book is a bit bland. There is a lot of resentment I feel coming from Ichiro. He gets home and barely greets his parents. I agree with some people that the writing is choppy and pretty disorganized. I didn’t like the whole rant about his multiple halves because it was confusing. It’s a very long stream of consciousness that was so simple but Ichiro makes complicated.
ReplyDelete2)The moment that stood out to me the most from this section was when Ichiro yells at his father, "Goddammit, Pa, sit down!!" (9). To me this shows the lack of respect he has for his parents. He so badly wants to take out his guilt and anger on them and he doesn't care to what extreme he goes. First of all he yells at his father for simply pacing around, not even doing something bothersome. And curses unnecessarily. And on top of it all it's a command. Then gets mad at them for the way they've been running their business and scolds them. I just don't like the way he treats his parents. I can't imagine myself getting back from somewhere far away and "greeting" my parents like this.
3) Ichiro Yamada is resentful. He's mad at the entire world for his inner turmoil about having chosen to go to jail instead of fighting for the country he lives in. He blames his mother for not being real mother. He blames his self. And just in general he feels like the world owes him something. He regrets so much denying to fight in the war and he's making his whole life depend on this one thing.