The Tattoo Analysis

In the novel The Tattoo, which holds a captivating story following the upbringing and experiences of Kenji Hideyoshi, a new inmate of the correctional center in Hawala, as he shares his story of his hardships throughout his life regarding the “three suns of his life” family, friends and partner to his cellmate Cal during the process of being tattooed. As a first introduction to Ken in the correctional center he’s portrayed as a strong individual to the other inmates and the reader on the outside, but as he begins to unravel his story to Cal it becomes clear that his childhood and upbringing were troubling times for Ken and that he didn’t get the cushioned upbringing most children have.

In the beginning of the story it becomes clear that his father was always tough on Ken. For instance in the story when Kens father catches a shark and asks Ken to “Touch it” when Ken shakes his head in refusal at his fathers request this is when we see the dads sour side for the first time in which he resorts to physically grabbing Ken forcing his hand upon the shark. When this happened Ken’s mother stood her
The concept of ethnocentrism is strongly supported by the Hideyoshi family along with other locals in regards to the ‘haoles’. Through kens father and his grandfather’s historical dislike towards ‘haoles’ along with the more recent dislike shown by Kens friend Koa, we see Ken assimilate into the Hawaiian local teen culture in which they perceive them as an annoyance in society as well as being a good chance to steal from or pick fights with. His assimilation into society with Koa begins to form Kens perspective of the haoles as invaders within his land and a target to vent his anger