Authors often use cause and effect scenarios in a text to build on an overall theme. Identify one moment of your text that has had a drastic impact on the characters or plot. How did this moment affect your reading? Why do you think that the author included this moment in the text?
I believe a moment that affected the plot is when Kenji tells Ichiro that he is dying in the hospital. This affects the plot and Ichiro a lot because it is one of Ichiro’s only friends and is pretty much the only person that accepts ichiro and doesn’t shun him for not joining the war. I think the author included this in the text to compare the consequences of joining the war and not joining the war. Kenji joined the war and because of that he will most likely die soon but on the other side Ichiro didn't join the war but will most likely be looked at as inferior and different for most of his life.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Mainly because if Kenji dies, then Ichiro will feel alone. I have another reason for agreeing but I wish to only say it after asking everyone a question in book club.
DeleteWhen ichiro first gets off the bus and someone that he grew up with that joined the army spits in his face and calls him a no-no boy, I think that it had a huge impact on ichiro because it basically meant he was an outcast “The friendliness was gone as he said: no-no boy, huh?” (3) and then after that he is spit on and treated like garbage
ReplyDeleteI feel like this is one of the things that will make or break Ichiro in the end. Its going to add to whats going to become his downfall I believe.
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DeleteHow do you feel about Kenji? A few people in the group are leaning toward Kenji's potential death, as a significant point in the story.
DeleteI agree, this made him think realize how the world is going to treat him.
DeleteI agree, this made him think realize how the world is going to treat him.
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ReplyDelete“‘He is not Japanese. He fought against us. He brought shame to his father and grief to himself. It is unfortunate he was not killed.’” Page 103. This has a big impact on the plot for the fighting in the U.S. Army has caused this character to be dishonored by his family. This affected my reading of the story because it made me realize how Japanese these people are for they believe one should die if he/she brings shame to his/her family. And Making me the reader realize this is the reason I think the author John Okada put this text in the story.
I think an impact happened when Ichiro met Kenji and they became friends. Ichiro finally found someone that doesn't hate on him for being a “no-no boy”. “I like you, Ichiro” (Okada, pg 64). I feel that this has a made an impact on Ichiro because when he first came back to America he had no friends and no one to do anything with. But now he has a friend that he can rely on to be there for him.
ReplyDeleteI feel like initially this is a good thing but if Kenji dies from his leg I think that Ichiro isnt going to be able to handle it as Kenji is his only friend.
DeleteI feel like this is an impact because if Ichiro is alone in the story, everything would be different. If Ichiro never met Kenji, then the story would be about isolation.
DeleteI totally agree Colin, if Kenji does die, which I feel like he will, it will destroy Ichiro.
DeleteI beg to differ. Kenji has given Ichiro good advice to help him along. Kenji has also given Ichiro Emi. When Kenji is gone, he still has Emi. Ichiro knows where Emi lives because he was “studying the landmarks.” (Okada 139). And it can be concluded that Ichiro will visit later on. For Kenji, he will, in a scene, live on, because without him, Ichiro would have never met Emi.
DeleteI agree, because if Ichiro never had meet Kenji he would of just stayed the same and do his own thing without knowing that there is someone that doesn't want to seem get hurt
DeleteKenji may die, “it’s not like before, Pop. It’s different this time. The pain is heavier, deeper. Not sharp and raw like the other times.” (Okada 131). To Ichiro, losing Kenji is a huge tragedy. Ichiro doesn't have the strongest connections with his family and can not turn to them for help. Taro is resentful towards Ichiro, so there's no hope there. Kenji is the only person Ichiro has. He is the guidance Ichiro desperately needs. He has spoken with many words of wisdom. He is the insight on how people should treat others, as human beings. He help’s Ichiro by defending him from Taro’s gang, making a little less hate in the world. He brings Ichiro to Emi. Emi gives Ichiro value in life, don't gloom in the past, become something better than what you are now. With Kenji gone, there is nothing left for Ichiro and Ichiro will lose the voice of reason.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Right now it seems like Kenji is the most important person in his life because he has no other friends. If Kenji dies it will totally change the story and the plot.
DeleteI agree, Ichiro has a attachment to kenji like no other. Kenji has introduced Ichiro to a better way of life, that has changed the way Ichiro thinks. If kenji dies this could potentially launch Ichiro into another downward spiral.
DeleteI agree, Early in the book it talks about he does not want to kill in the war so that shows that he cares about people
DeleteWhen ichiro slept with emi this caused an effect. Before he met emi he was depressed and had a negative outlook on life. After he met emi, he started becoming better with his depression. This effects the plot of the story because, emi seeks out Ichiro which plays a role in the story.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment that Ichiro starts to drink, his friend Kenji and him go to a nightclub. At the club they start to drink more alcohol, after a time a Japanese man walks in and greets Kenji but then turns to Ichiro and insults him because he knows who Ichiro is and because Ichiro is a “no no boy”. After that more japanese start to laugh at him and Ichiro becomes angry and begins to drink more alcohol. Later on Ichiro walks outside only to become ambushed and attacked by two people who start to kick him, He fights back but does not do much probably because he is drunk. This affected me because I did not know that japanese people hated and laughed at other japanese people because they were “no no people”. I think the author included this because early in the book Ichiro talked about not wanting to kill other japanese people in the war but later at this part it seems that other japanese people don’t care as much as he does to them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement, because there is a lot of discrimination going on in this scenario and Ichiro is trying to overcome it.
DeleteI think one event that really is affecting the story is when Ichiro gets the news that his friend Kenji might die soon. Mainly because Kenji is his only friend that accepts him for what he did. If Kenji does happen to die Ichiro would feel very upset which could change the way he is going to communicate with other people especially his family. Not only will Ichiro would be affected by this but also Kenji’s family. I feel like everyone has had this happen to them in their lives that have felt the pain that Ichiro is going through.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I've felt the pain of a loved one pass on
DeleteI have felt the pain too of a loved one pass away and it is very hard to let one go and to even think that this person is no longer in your life which like you said Greg is life changing for both Kenji's family and Ichiro.
DeleteA major impact on the story is when Kenji starts to slowly die, “Things are as they should be, he assured himself, feeling greatly at peace, sleep came with surprising ease.”(Okada, 123). This immediately affects Ichiro and how he goes about everyday because, Kenji was Ichiros best friend and support. Whenever he felt discriminated Kenji was there to support him. Kenji was awarded the silver star from WW2, which after his death Ichiro comes to realize that he had done nothing for his own life. To Ichiro, Kenji was a huge role-model. I think Okada allowed this to happen because it will help Ichiro face his “No-No Boy” thought and think of his life not as a waste but important.
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