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.
Sarah ...I completely commend you for how you worded part III. you have touched every aspect in a very clear concise informative way. I was going to stress on one aspect but all of what you wrote is very good and I very much enjoyed this blog!! Thanks for the reading ...Daye
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteYou make some very good points. Tosh viewed this particular tradition as harmful. I can understand where he's coming from. Being the first born son, he was forced to sacrifice many things. For example, he wanted to finish high school and continue his schooling. Unfortunately he had to drop out so that he could work and help pay his parent's debt.
He grew to resent them and it harmed their relationship. Overall the situation wasn't very pleasant or healthy. It's a tough situation to be in because traditionally, that was his obligation. It's hard to break free from what's expected of you. You end up disappointing a lot of people, but at the same time, you let yourself down.
The title “All I ask is my body” is the representation of the author’s rebel against the filial duty that are burdened by the parents to their children in traditional Japanese culture. Here children are like a slave, parents make them work all their life and make them repay their debt. Author is rebelling just to be in charge of his own body, he does not want someone else to take control of his body. Toshio’s argument against filial duty is very strong. He may sound rude and selfish but it is true, most of the Japanese children are sacrificing their dram and ambition just to repay their parent’s debt. Such a burden are not supposed to be given to the children.
ReplyDeleteSarah, yes, the oldest boys repsonsibility was to pay off all their parents debts. It seems so crazy to us but that was the Japanese way. It was a normal kind of life for them. But, Tosh was rebelling which was out of the norm. He just wanted to do what he wanted to do which was out of the norm of their culture. I believe that there were probably other kids that felt that way but probably wouldn't try to fight it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really enjoyed reading your dialogue.
ReplyDeleteDina
Tosh was a very strong and independent child who had no problem telling his parents what he believe in went against most if not everything they stand for. Most of what he believes is commendable; however his technique was something that needed work on. It seemed very harsh for children to work off their parent’s debt. The world can be a very hard place as it is and then to be burdened with something that would take your life time to repay. Each generation should make it easier or better then the next not the opposite. As Tosh got older I’m not sure that he started to believe in his cultures beliefs or that his sprit just got crushed fighting against something so large.
ReplyDeleteHello, Tosh was not a very tolerant son than Kiyoshi. He didn't hold back any anger, instead he would vent them out on his parents. I can understand why he acted out the way he did. He just wanted freedom, he didst want to be controlled by his parents all his life. He had a lot to deal with, he had a duty to follow out with. He was very frustrated and stressed. He was selfish and he didn't think about others beside himself. He also thought having more children would be a bad thing because they would have to help follow out with the family Debt. It was not a fair thing, the children should bare with. Thanks for posting your entry, you stated and answered the question fully. I can understand what the title means more from your writing.
ReplyDeleteThank You, Lesley