Summary Of Everything I Never Told You By Yoshimoto

A search for one’s identity can be an uncomfortable process in the context of racial discrimination and loss. A comparative study of Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng and Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto explores perspectives on the formation of identity in different contexts. Yoshimoto delves into post-modern Japan while Ng addresses similar issues through a Chinese-American perspective in suburban Ohio. Unacknowledged grief and loss underlie the identities we force upon ourselves, with lonely contemporary settings pressuring individuals to reconsider their belonging in society. Furthermore, the isolation of the characters influences the individuals to reform their identities. Hence, both texts explore resilience proving that the desire
The context of each composer influences the type of alienation and isolation experienced. The cultural and racial segregation experienced in 1970s within a small town in U.S.A. gives rise to self-doubt. Comparatively, in Japan’s mono-cultural world, common cultural expectations serves as a source of strength. Ng explores the tension within the bi-racial Lee family and their struggle to cope with the loss of Lydia leads to detrimental effects. Lydia’s father, James, has felt marginalized due to his Chinese ethnicity, and almost destroys his family through an affair with his Chinese teaching assistant, Louisa. He compares Louisa to his Caucasian wife, “Everything about her is different: the flex of her limbs, the texture of her skin… Now, still slicked to Louisa with sweat, he sleeps soundly for the first time in days.” Imagery of the affection shows James’ solace from a woman who understands the thresholds of his ethnicity, as he can finally sleep after Lydia’s disappearance. Through the intimate relationship, he has remade his identity temporarily with her. Additionally, his own experience of alienation from racial discrimination has led him to be a father who wants Lydia to fit in, “’I wanted gold, but a reliable source told me everyone was wearing silver this year’”. The symbolism of the necklace serves as a reminder that all James wants is for her to blend into society. While racial disharmony leads to negative identity reformation, a mono-cultural context provides a more positive