Kumiko's childhood (1st part)

Kumiko’s childhood: As the novel continues, the narrator opens up and describes his wife’s life as a child. This description makes us feel bad for her. We start feeling pity for her rough childhood with her grandmother. We are then told that Kumiko was "returned" to her parents and siblings, in the, "home where she should have been all along. Her parents were there, her brother and her sister. But it was not her home. It was simply a new environment. " (71) The use of italics on the words: her home, and new environment, is interesting to point out because they make things more awkward. Those two words put together make a sort of contradiction. Home should be an environment that one is used to, not a new and unfamiliar one. The narrator continues talking about the problems that Kumiko endured as a child. He claims that her life could be different now, and believes that so much so that he makes the assertion that, “You have the right to choose your own life.” (72) This is an important aspect to explore. Do we really have the right to choose our own life? One thing is certain, as children, that is not a possibility; our lives are definitely controlled by parents and outside factors. As we grow up, on the other hand, it is possible that we have a bit more choices as to what direction our lives go into. However, I do not know if the term “right” is the correct one to use in this context. Even as an adult, certain adults do not have the “right” to completely control their own lives…it is sure that factors like money and your surroundings contribute to that. It is interesting however that this personage chose (rather that the author chose) to say this exact phrase. With this, as readers, we are beginning to appreciate the narrator more and more. Especially since his character is being revealed, through dialogue with his wife, as a caring one.

This idea of the “right to choose your own life” is quickly juxtaposed when Kumiko father is further introduced and we are shown his opinion. In fact, he believes that, “all men are not created equally.” (73)