All I Asking For Is My Body, Part III, Dialogue

a.     What is the meaning of the title?

The title All I Asking For Is My Body is an example of how hard the characters worked in their daily lives and within their cultural responsibilities. Within the Japanese culture there is a tradition called filial piety. A portion of the tradition includes the children working to pay for the parent’s debt. Most of the time all the responsibility falls on the eldest son. Basically the eldest boy is expected to sacrifice certain aspects of his life for the family unit. Within the text Kiyoshi and Tosh were expected to pay off their parent’s debt before they got married, went to college, or moved out of the family home. In one of the many family arguments involving Tosh and the parents, Tosh said, “ All I’m asking for is my body. I’m not even asking for a high school education.” His mother replied, “Every child must repay his parents.” (57)

The eldest son Tosh viewed the filial responsibility as a tradition that would rob him of his youth, strength, and ambition. He continually fought with his mother and father about money, children, and his freedom from their debt. Whenever his parents argued with Tosh, his mother told him they would not depend on him therefore they will depend on Kiyoshi instead. Tosh told Kiyoshi, “Shit, all I asking for is my body. I doan wanna die on the plantation like these other dumb dodos.” (48)

Tosh believed his parents should not have had multiple children, especially the female children because they will not contribute financially to the family. He believed the female children would only cost the family more money because they will get pregnant and continue the poverty cycle. After they helped the family Kiyoshi and Tosh just wanted to have their physical health. They did not want to be run down physically and mentally like many of the other men they worked with. Their father pointed out several first sons who had completed their filial duties, but they are all unhappy, washed up, unhealthy men according to Tosh and Kiyoshi. The boys were horrified by what could happen to them physically, mentally, and spiritually if they continued working on the plantation for the rest of their lives.

All I Ask For Is My Body, Part II, Dialogue

Why does Kiyoshi believe Obaban is a substitute for his mom? 

Kiyoshi believed Obaban became a substitute for his mother by taking her place in fulfilling the demand of the “bachi.” Kiyoshi’s mother taught him about some of the superstitions she believed in. One particular superstition is called “bachi” or “retribution”. “Bachi” punishes a person who has done something wrong, but it may punish a member of the offender’s family instead.

When his mother was ill, she believed she was being punished for another family member’s offense. She became convinced her punishment would be death. Kiyoshi told Obaban what his mother thought. Obaban promised to make his mother a charm at her temple that would help keep the “bachi” away.

Soon thereafter Kiyoshi’s father showed up to his school. Kiyoshi assumed he had bad news about his mother, but quickly found out Obaban suffered a stroke and died. His mother was devastated Obaban passed away, but she felt Obaban’s death fulfilled the “retribution” so she could continue living.

All I Asking For My Body, Part 1, Dialogue

Makot is young boy who is quite different than the other boys his age. He does not socialize with the boys in his age group because they treat him poorly. He prefers to associate with children who are several years younger than him therefore some of the boys Makot’s age call him the “shrimp gang leader.” (pg 8) Makot uses his money to buy friendships. He purchases his friends ice cream, movies tickets, and candy. Makot is known for throwing temper tantrums when he cannot get his friends to cooperate with his ideas. During a temper tantrum he threatens his friends by telling them he will not buy their treats anymore. The older boys believe Makot acts like a girl as a result they want nothing to do with him.

His family is seemingly different than his friend’s families. His parents are never home during the day. His mother dresses in uncommon clothing. His father supposedly does not have a job, but he always has an adequate amount of money. Instead of nurturing Makot they try to satisfy him with money. He followed his parent’s example of buying love and tried to buy his friendships. I feel sorry for Makot because his parents have not taught him important life principles therefore he does not understand the concept of true friendship. 

Rules for Writers: Chapter 51

The main concepts of “Research” by Diana Hacker are, building a record of sources while conducting research, keeping track of the research by copying the materials, and while taking notes recording the information in the writer’s own words to avoid plagiarism.

Diana stated the writer should keep a running bibliography of the research conducted to avoid any accidental copying. She suggested utilizing an electronic database which will assist in not omitting any sources. She provided examples of some of the information  necessary to create a proper source, such as, “authors, editors, translators, title, edition, and publication information” (407).

She specified three different types of note taking, summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting. Each type requires a source to be included, but when using another author’s exact words the writer must include quotation marks.

I appreciated Diana’s suggestions. As a college student I write many papers after conducting my research. If I do not keep an ongoing source list it is too easy to accidentally not cite a source. I have been introduced to the electronic database provided by the SRJC’s library and that has helped me keep track of all the different sources. It is such a great tool I believe all students should be required to utilize the database for their research papers.

Essay #3 Rough Draft

The definition of forgiveness is, “the process of concluding resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, difference or mistake, and/or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.” (Wikipedia, 2011) I believe the entire film developed around the concept of forgiving people who have wronged you. There were multiple circumstances within Smoke Signals that required forgiveness, for instance, abandonment, accidental death, physical abuse, and bullying. Many people choose to not forgive others and live a lifetime engulfed in self-pity, hatred, and resentment.

Thomas bared no malice towards Arnold for starting the fire that killed his parents. Arnold became a father figure for Thomas. He enjoyed Arnold’s company and obviously did not resent him for the role he had in his parent’s death. Thomas tried to set an example for Victor by not allowing the past to dictate his feelings towards Arnold. He possessed the ability to see the fire was an accident and liberate Arnold. In fact forgiving Arnold became a blessing for Thomas because in return he acquired a father figure.

The film reflects what will happen when you do not forgive others. Victor’s rage and resentment towards his father caused him to grow into a bitter, angry young man. He did not trust anyone and viewed the world with hatred and spite. Through his anger and animosity he did not allow anyone to know the real person inside. I do not believe Victor truly recognized how he developed into such an angry man. Thomas wanted to teach Victor that he needed to pardon his father for what he had done. He knew it would be impossible unless he could show Victor why his father truly left the reservation. Thomas knew for Victor’s sake he must forgive his father. Through his and Thomas’s experiences on the road, Victor learned multiple lessons that helped him understand why his father left, which was the first step to forgiveness. With Thomas’s help, Victor achieved the ability to forgive his father.

The film characterized why people should exonerate one another. It represented how people experience great pain when they are unable to forgive. I think Victor eventually understood the grief and guilt his father experienced from the accident and deserting his family. Through gaining the ability to forgive not only did he release the fury inside of himself, but also he released his pain.

Works Cited

“Forgiveness.” Wikipedia. Wikimeida Foundation, 20 Apr. 2011.
Web. 20 Apr. 2011.

"This is what it means to say Phoenix, Arizona” Dialogue

I found the movie and the reading significantly different. The movie’s portrayal of drunk Arnold Joseph accidentally setting fire to Thomas’s home and saving Thomas from the fire was not mentioned in the reading. In the movie Arnold essentially left the reservation and his family because the considerable amount of guilt he suffered for his role in the accidental initiation of the fire. I sympathized with Arnold Joseph for leaving the reservation. He not only caused pain for himself, but also for his family through a terrible accident. I believed he left his son Victor because he thought his mistake was unforgivable.

My perspective changed without the fire element of the story included in the reading. I became confused and wondered why Arnold moved to Phoenix. Consequently Arnold appeared selfish in the reading because we did not receive any understandable excuse for him leaving his family. In the reading Arnold’s character differences affected the depiction of Victor’s character too. He was more open and friendly to strangers. He did not appear as bitter towards his father and the world.  He got along better with Thomas during their travels. I felt the movie offered the viewers a more in-depth and dramatic insight into guilt, forgiveness, and redemption.

Smoke Signals Dialogue

Victor and Thomas were the “children born of flame and ash.” Their relationship was surprisingly similar to brothers. They were not related by blood, but by saving Thomas’s life, Arnold Joseph, provided life to both Victor and Thomas.

Victor allowed Thomas to travel with him to Arizona to retrieve his dead father‘s ashes. During their travels he tried to teach Thomas to be more like him. He was annoyed with the way Thomas communicated, dressed, and smiled.  He wanted Thomas’s attire and personality to reflect his perception of Indian culture. Thomas listened to Victor and tried to appease him by following some of his advice. They went through several challenging circumstances that Victor could have viewed pessimistically, but Thomas helped Victor view the experiences with a more hopeful perspective.

Although they were seemingly different types of people, they complimented each other. When Victor was hot-tempered, pessimistic, and non-trusting, Thomas was nurturing, optimistic, and kind-hearted. They were opposite in their strengths and weaknesses. Their experiences taught them they were brothers through loss and culture.