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.