In the story All I asking for is my body, the characterization of Tosh is very unique compared to the rest of the characters, simply because he says it how it is. He isn't programmed to let others influence his decisions, even though he has taken on the responsibility to help out his family. His relationship with his parents is very much, "in their face" letting them know exactly how he feels despite the outcomes. Even though he is doing what he can to help pay off their family debt, he more so does it in an antagonizing, humiliating direction. "Take yourself. You can't support your own family. You need my help. But instead of being nice to me, you treat me like dirt. Now you want to kick me out. I'd be glad to go. I can work my way through high school and college and make something of myself" (Milton Muryama, All I asking for is my body, 45). Here we have Tosh confronting his family pulling away from being oppressed by his parents mistakes, but also being able to hold his own by reminding them he isn't going to be the failure regardless if they kick him out of the home or not. In a sense this can be seen as a rebellious act from his family, but he is just trying to make a living for himself by learning from their mistakes. He isn't going to let their mistakes empower his ability to succeed.
It was quite alarming when his mother kept disregarding his taunts by making Tosh feel like he was not important or worthy of being in their family. Especially when Tosh does what he can to help out regardless of his outbursts and confrontations. The mother figure in this story is very selfish, self-centered, and in a way seems like she wants her sons to fail and remain in this bubble of oppression and or family obligation. "Someday you'll have your punishment. You'll have an unfilial son like you" (Milton Muryama, All I asking for is my body, 45). This constant usage of the word "unfilial," is very demanding on the parents part, especially the mother. She seems very manipulative and selfish to even say such words to her children. Instead of helping them succeed and escape this tiny, destructive household they are suffering in, she wants them to oblige to the "old ways" and has held them accountable to fix their mistakes.
~Puja C. Patel~
Puja -
ReplyDeleteWhen making a textual citation all you need is the author's last name and the page number, for example (Murayama 45). It's also important to spell the author's name right . . .
Aside from those schematics, I feel that the mother in the diegesis is a bit more dynamic than you make her out to be, especially in the second section of the book, 'The Substitute,' wherein she is depicted as working hard sewing kimonos, even through illness, to support the family when the father is failing as a fisherman. Her desire for her sons to remain filial must be understood within the greater cultural context in which they lived as well, not just from our modern perspective which places such a heavy emphasis on the individual.
- Trey