John Okada's "No-No Boy"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, on its surface, John Okada's "No-No Boy" explores the relations between Japanese and white Americans, with an emphasis on Japanese-America's self-perceptions. More specifically, one of the main themes of the novel involves free will and determinism. The author points out that the world that Okada describes is certainly an ugly one that is full of hostility between and among races; however, one gets a sense that he maintains faith in humanity. The paper relates that the novel begs to question whether the story's characters are responsible for their own attitudes and conduct or if they are powerless victims of social circumstance.

From the Paper:

"Ichiro's initial reluctance to engage in the fight with Bull along side Freddie also serves to show a point. When asked to stay out of the fight by another bar patron, Ichiro answers, "I haven't got much choice" (246). By offering this statement, he seems to imply that he has no free will when it comes to if he should join in the fight. He has no choice because to put himself in front of Bull will mean that he would be in harms way. This seems to echo his reason for not fighting in the war. In the war against Freddie however, Ichiro knows that the choice he wants to make isn't the most beneficial towards the situation. He wouldn't have anticipated that he could manage to take on an opponent like Bull, but it attempting so he surprises himself."

More papers on John Okada's "No-No Boy":

• Analytical Essay # 24644 : "John Okada's "No-No Boy"
• Analytical Essay # 146873 : "Ichiro's Cultural Identity in "No-No Boy"
• Book Review # 95647 : "'No-no Boy'"

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