What is the meaning of the title?
During the end of August Kiyoshi father decided to quit fishing and move the family back to Kahana. Their family was much larger and needed help. Part of traditions is that the first born son was expected to help take care of the family. Tosh was the oldest and first born. He was forced to quit high school and work in the cane fields to help support his family. This also meant he had to help pay off his father's debt.
When Tosh said, "All I asking for is body" he meant that he wanted to be able to make his own decisions. He wanted to decide what his path was in life and which path to take. Tosh was angry because he actually liked going to school. He wanted to make something of himself and not live the life of someone else. He hated the fact that his grandfather's debt was a burden, only because it was he who was to help pay it off. He believe that this was throwing his life away. Where his time and effort could help make a better life for him and his family.
Penny,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the meaning of the title. It seems as though Kiyoshi had always followed his parents orders and tried to make them happy. I think he didn't have much choice but to help be the families back bone. I think his life situation fits very well with the title.