Before taking part in the seminar “Introduction to American Ethnic Groups: Asian Americans”, I had neither heard anything about the situation of Asians living in the United States nor could I define terms like Issei, Nisei, relocation camp or assembly center. Through reading “The Chessmen”, looking for informatio n on Asian American internet sites, and the biography of Toshio Mori I got a first impression of this subject in general and I got some inside into the working conditions of Japanese gardeners working in the US in the 1930s. Before reading this seven page story I thought that it would be impossible to write sixteen pages about such a short piece of literature, but once I finished reading I realized that there is extraordinary depth to this subject. In my opinion, Toshio Mori’s “The Chessmen” is more than a fictional text dealing with the struggle of two Japanese gardeners trying to keep their job in a nursery in California. The situation Toshio Mori focuses on reflects today’s society and the way we have to behave in order to achieve something in life. I decided to base my essay on the facts that are important to fully understand his works, so I began with some background information and dealt with the biography of Toshio Mori and his topics of writing in general. Then I summarized the story. After writing an interpretation of “The Chessmen” I asked myself what the title of the story might have to do with the contents. Since the relation between George and Nakagawa-san mirrors Darwin’s survival of the fittest I tried to transfer this idea into modern times. I ended my paper with a conclusion that states my own opinion about “The Chessmen”.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Background information on Toshio Mori
2.1. Biography
2.2. Topics of writing
3. Analysis of “The Chessmen”
3.1. Summary and interpretation
3.2. Explanation of the title
4. Transfer into modern times
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores Toshio Mori’s short story “The Chessmen,” analyzing how it depicts the conflict between tradition and modern capitalism through the lens of Darwinian survival of the fittest. The author examines Mori's biographical background and his literary intent to challenge stereotypes against Japanese Americans in the 1930s.
- Biographical influences on Toshio Mori’s literary career
- The clash between traditional values and Western modernization
- Darwinian survival of the fittest as a metaphor for social structures
- Symbolism in the titles of Mori's works
- The relevance of the story's themes in the 21st century
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Summary and interpretation
“The Chessmen”, taken from the book Yokohama, California, was written by Toshio Mori and deals with two Japanese gardeners, Nakagawa-san and George Murai, who work in a nursery in California. Both gardeners know that their boss Hatayama-san can only afford to employ one of them in future, so in the course of the story their relationship develops into a struggle between young and old, and Japanese tradition and Western modernization.
Nakagawa-san had already worked together with his boss Hatayama-san for seven years, the “Hatayama-Nakagawa combination worked beautifully” (239), and before George, life and work at the Hatayama Nursery seemed to be peaceful and harmonious. Hatayama-san was very content with his help. “If you want to become a good carnation grower listen to this man.” (239) and whenever he had to go to the flower market Nakagawa-san was able to manage the nursery on his own. Even after the new gardener, George Murai, began working there, nothing seemed to have changed. Nakagawa-san and George get along well; they both work hard because of their own personal circumstances: Nakagawa-san has a wife and three children he has to care for. They live in Oakland and he is only able to see them on the weekends. George has a girlfriend named Lorraine Sakoda, who he wants to marry once he has a steady job. George is actually a young modern version of Nakagawa. He keeps asking Nakagawa-san about growing plants and is very motivated and eager to acquire as much knowledge and experience as Nakagawa-san. “George would ask question after question […] he would press for an answer […]” (241) George creates a different atmosphere, “a glimpse of new liveliness on the place” (241) as he “would trot from one work to another as if he were eagerly playing a game.” (241) He even introduces modern planting methods to the nursery so Hatayama can keep pace with the modernization required in the New World. “I’ve already put an electric hotbed through George’s suggestion.” (243) Everything changes when Hatayama-san cannot afford to hire additional box carriers for summer and Nakagawa-san and George have to do double the work.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author outlines the scope of the essay, providing personal context for analyzing Toshio Mori's work and its relevance to Japanese American experiences.
2. Background information on Toshio Mori: This chapter details Mori’s biography, including his upbringing, internment during WWII, and his development as an author, as well as his recurring themes.
3. Analysis of “The Chessmen”: The chapter provides a comprehensive summary of the story and discusses its symbolic title and deeper meanings regarding social competition.
4. Transfer into modern times: The author bridges the narrative of the 1930s with contemporary society, discussing how Darwinian principles and competitive pressures remain prevalent today.
5. Conclusion: The author reflects on Mori’s significance as a writer, summarizing the enduring impact of his themes and her personal appreciation for his work.
Keywords
Toshio Mori, The Chessmen, Yokohama California, Japanese American literature, Nisei, Issei, Darwinism, Survival of the Fittest, Modernization, Capitalism, Asian American history, Cultural identity, Nursery, Competition, Literary analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper primarily focuses on an analysis of Toshio Mori's short story "The Chessmen," investigating its thematic exploration of tradition, modernization, and the struggle for survival within the Japanese American community.
Which key topics does the author address?
The work covers Mori's biographical background, his literary contributions, the socio-economic pressures faced by Issei and Nisei generations, and the evolution of the Japanese American identity.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The objective is to interpret "The Chessmen" as a metaphor for social change and to demonstrate how Mori’s work reflects the broader, often harsh, realities of the American immigrant experience in the 20th century.
What scientific methodology is applied here?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, drawing upon biographical data, historical context, and socio-literary theories, specifically applying Darwin's concept of "survival of the fittest" to the text.
What content is included in the main section?
The main section includes a detailed summary and interpretation of the story's plot, an explanation of the title's symbolism, and a contextual transfer of the themes to modern societal structures.
How would you describe the characteristic keywords of this work?
The keywords highlight key concepts such as cultural identity, Darwinism, historical internment, the immigrant experience, and the socio-economic challenges inherent in the American dream.
How does the story "The Chessmen" mirror Darwinian theory?
The author argues that the competition between the young, modern George and the older, experienced Nakagawa-san serves as a microcosm for natural selection, where resources are limited and only the most adaptable survive.
How does the author characterize the treatment of the elderly in the story?
The author notes a stark contrast between traditional Japanese cultural respect for the elderly and the American capitalist system, which often renders older individuals redundant in favor of younger, more modern laborers.
- Quote paper
- Simone Zimmermann (Author), 2003, Analysis of Toshio Mori "The Chessmen", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/42872
