Literary Analysis of the Tattoo by Chris McKinney
Literary Analysis: The Tattoo
In the novel, The Tattoo, Chris McKinney, writes about the experiences of Ken Hideyoshi, a tough, insightful man. McKinney describes the many hardships regarding the three suns’ in Ken’s life: his parents, his brother and his girl. Through the use of the three suns, McKinney reveals that the extent of their impact on your success or failure is based on the degree of what makes them important to you. First, McKinney shows the impact your parents have on you as child, shapes who you become and what you achieve as a person. Ken’s mom loved Ken with all her heart. “She lifted me into her arms. Her bare feet squashed down on the poky acorns (19).” This quote shows how much Ken’s mom would do for her son. She was an educator and wanted the best for him; she wanted him to have the best feet, the best education and the best parents for him. However, Ken’s mom died when Ken was at the tender age of seven. This impacted Ken greatly; he felt angry at her for abandoning him, but he also felt he needed to fulfill his mother’s expectations. Her hopes for a bright future for him were so apparent that Ken felt it would disappoint her and her love for him greatly if he didn’t fulfill them. So, he managed to leave the Windward side and escape. He escaped by trying to go to college and make a better future for himself. He broke free from the chains of the Windward side and became fearless from doing the unknown. Ken’s need to fulfill his mother’s expectations shows how parents can have a big impact on your success. If they expect and support you, you will strive to do your best. Secondly, Chris McKinney revealed how your best bud or brother, in Ken’s case, can affect your success or failure. Koa was Ken’s best friend and someone Ken looked up to. He was, “born not giving a shit. Loud and funny. Emotional… he was a magnet of excitement, blind to consequence. Immune to self-analysis, guilt and fear from birth (49).” Koa was obviously super fun to
In the novel, The Tattoo, Chris McKinney, writes about the experiences of Ken Hideyoshi, a tough, insightful man. McKinney describes the many hardships regarding the three suns’ in Ken’s life: his parents, his brother and his girl. Through the use of the three suns, McKinney reveals that the extent of their impact on your success or failure is based on the degree of what makes them important to you. First, McKinney shows the impact your parents have on you as child, shapes who you become and what you achieve as a person. Ken’s mom loved Ken with all her heart. “She lifted me into her arms. Her bare feet squashed down on the poky acorns (19).” This quote shows how much Ken’s mom would do for her son. She was an educator and wanted the best for him; she wanted him to have the best feet, the best education and the best parents for him. However, Ken’s mom died when Ken was at the tender age of seven. This impacted Ken greatly; he felt angry at her for abandoning him, but he also felt he needed to fulfill his mother’s expectations. Her hopes for a bright future for him were so apparent that Ken felt it would disappoint her and her love for him greatly if he didn’t fulfill them. So, he managed to leave the Windward side and escape. He escaped by trying to go to college and make a better future for himself. He broke free from the chains of the Windward side and became fearless from doing the unknown. Ken’s need to fulfill his mother’s expectations shows how parents can have a big impact on your success. If they expect and support you, you will strive to do your best. Secondly, Chris McKinney revealed how your best bud or brother, in Ken’s case, can affect your success or failure. Koa was Ken’s best friend and someone Ken looked up to. He was, “born not giving a shit. Loud and funny. Emotional… he was a magnet of excitement, blind to consequence. Immune to self-analysis, guilt and fear from birth (49).” Koa was obviously super fun to