“The Children” by Julie Otsuka: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “The Children” by Julie Otsuka

The short story “The Children” by Julie Otsuka was debuted in 2002 as part of her acclaimed collection When the Emperor Was Divine. The story explores the experiences of Japanese-American children during a period of forced relocation and internment. Its profound exploration of themes like displacement, cultural identity, and familial bonds resonates deeply with readers. Otsuka’s unique narrative voice, a collective “we”, underscores the shared experience of the children, creating a powerful sense of both individual suffering and the broader impact of historical injustice.

Main Events in “The Children” by Julie Otsuka

1. Children’s Innocent Play: Despite their parents’ hard work, the children played quietly and imaginatively. For example, they drew pictures in the dirt for hours and played games without making a sound.
2. Parental Favorites: Some children were favored over others, creating tension within the family dynamic. For instance, the narrator mentions preferences for certain sons or daughters.
3. Gender Disparities: Sons were often favored over daughters due to societal expectations of providing for the family in old age. This bias was evident in the differential treatment and resources allocated to sons compared to daughters.
4. Husbands’ Disengagement: Fathers were largely absent from childcare and household chores, leaving the burden on the mothers. This disengagement is highlighted by the fathers’ lack of involvement in domestic tasks.
5. Children’s Early Labor: Children were put to work in the fields at a young age, contributing to the family’s livelihood. Their labor included tasks like picking strawberries, hauling water, and clearing brush.
6. Creative Childhood: Despite their challenging circumstances, the children engaged in imaginative play. They made toys out of everyday objects and invented games to entertain themselves.
7. Beyond the Farm: Children heard of a different lifestyle outside the farm, which sparked curiosity and longing for something different. They imagined a world with luxurious amenities and unfamiliar customs.
8. Engagement with Nature: Children explored and interacted with nature, learning from their surroundings. They caught tadpoles, watched chickens being killed, and observed wildlife in the hills.
9. Beliefs and Superstitions: Children held onto traditional beliefs and superstitions passed down by their parents. These beliefs influenced their actions and decisions, such as avoiding certain behaviors to prevent bad luck.
10. Parental Guidance and Discipline: Parents imparted values and disciplined their children according to cultural norms. This guidance included teaching manners, scolding disobedience, and emphasizing the importance of hard work.
11. Loss and Tragedy: Children faced hardships, including illness, accidents, and death. These tragedies had a profound impact on the family and shaped their experiences.
12. Infertility Struggles: Some parents struggled with infertility, leading to societal pressure and personal anguish. This challenge affected their relationships and sense of identity.
13. Urban Living: Children experienced the realities of urban living, including crowded living conditions and discrimination. They adapted to life in the city while grappling with issues of identity and belonging.
14. Education Challenges: Children faced obstacles in education, including language barriers and discrimination. They navigated school environments where they felt different from their peers.
15. Cultural Identity: Children wrestled with their cultural identity amidst societal pressures to assimilate. They faced criticism for their cultural practices and struggled to reconcile their heritage with their desire to fit in.

Literary Devices in “The Children” by Julie Otsuka

Literary Device	Definition	Example from “The Children”
1. Imagery	Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.	“They bathed with us every evening, out of doors, in giant wooden tubs heated over a fire and sank down to their chins in the hot steaming water.”
2. Symbolism	The use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts.	The white paper lanterns on the Feast of the Dead symbolize the spirits of the deceased children returning to earth for a day.
3. Alliteration	Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.	“They found the places in the hills where the deer had last slept and lay down in their round nests in the tall, flattened grass.”
4. Metaphor	A comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as”.	“We’re just a bunch of Buddhaheads.”
5. Simile	A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as”.	“They floated ghostlike, through the halls, with their eyes turned away and their books clutched to their chests, as though lost in a dream.”
6. Personification	Giving human characteristics to non-human entities.	“Nature doesn’t care,” we told them.
7. Hyperbole	Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.	“We’re just a bunch of Buddhaheads.”
8. Foreshadowing	Clues or hints about events that will occur later in the story.	“And every year, in August, on the Feast of the Dead, we lit white paper lanterns on their gravestones and welcomed their spirits back to earth for a day.”
9. Irony	A situation in which the outcome is different from what is expected.	“They preferred their own company to ours and pretended not to understand a word that we said.”
10. Flashback	A scene that interrupts the chronological sequence to depict something that happened earlier.	The narrative delves into the parents’ experiences of immigration and early struggles in America.
11. Repetition	Repeating words or phrases for emphasis.	“They worried about us when we were tired. They worried about us when we were sad.”
12. Onomatopoeia	Words that imitate the sound they describe.	“They collected crows’ nests and snake skins, beetle shells, acorns, rusty iron stakes from down by the tracks.”
13. Allegory	A story or poem with a hidden meaning or moral.	The experiences of the characters symbolize the broader struggles of Japanese immigrants in America.
14. Paradox	A statement that appears self-contradictory but may reveal a deeper truth.	“It’s better here. Nobody knows who we are.”
15. Juxtaposition	Placing two things side by side for comparison or contrast.	The contrast between the children’s American upbringing and their parents’ traditional Japanese values highlights the generational gap and cultural clash.
16. Allusion	A reference to a well-known person, event, or work of literature.	The mention of the Festival of the Autumnal Equinox alludes to a Japanese cultural tradition.
17. Anaphora	Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.	“They learned which mothers would let them come over (Mrs. Henke, Mrs. Woodruff, Mrs. Alfred Chandler III) and which would not (all the other mothers).”
18. Motif	A recurring theme, subject, or idea.	The motif of loss and resilience is evident throughout the story, as characters grapple with various forms of loss but demonstrate remarkable resilience.
19. Tone	The author’s attitude toward the subject matter.	Otsuka’s tone shifts between poignant, reflective, and matter-of-fact, reflecting the varied emotions and experiences of the characters.
20. Setting	The time and place in which the story occurs.	The story is set in California during the early to mid-20th century, portraying the experiences of Japanese immigrants and their descendants in America.

Characterization in “The Children” by Julie Otsuka

Minor Characters:

1. Mothers: The mothers in the story are depicted as hardworking, resilient figures who shoulder the responsibilities of raising their children and managing household tasks. They are portrayed with empathy and depth, reflecting the sacrifices and challenges they endure. For example, the mothers work tirelessly in the fields alongside their husbands, nurture their children with love and care, and impart cultural values and beliefs to them.
2. Fathers: The fathers in the story are portrayed as distant and emotionally unavailable. They are depicted as silent, stoic figures who prioritize work over familial bonds. For instance, they are often absent from their children’s lives, leaving the mothers to bear the burden of childcare and household chores. Their disengagement underscores the challenges faced by immigrant families in adapting to a new culture while maintaining traditional gender roles.
3. Children: The children in the story are depicted with sensitivity and nuance, capturing the complexities of childhood amidst the backdrop of immigration and cultural assimilation. They navigate between their Japanese heritage and American upbringing, grappling with issues of identity and belonging. For example, the children engage in imaginative play, yearn for a sense of belonging, and confront the challenges of discrimination and cultural erasure.

Major Characters:

1. Narrator: The unnamed narrator serves as the collective voice of the immigrant community, providing a panoramic view of the immigrant experience. Through the narrator’s perspective, readers gain insight into the hopes, dreams, and struggles of Japanese immigrants in America. The narrator’s introspective and reflective tone adds depth to the narrative, inviting readers to empathize with the characters’ experiences.
2. Ichiro, Yoichi, Sunoko, and other children: While individually unnamed, the children collectively represent the hopes and aspirations of their immigrant parents. Their experiences reflect the complexities of growing up in a foreign land while grappling with issues of identity, assimilation, and cultural heritage. For example, Ichiro’s role as the firstborn son carries expectations of responsibility and filial duty, while Yoichi’s precociousness highlights the resilience and adaptability of immigrant children.
3. Mrs. Kawamura, Mr. Morita, and other community members: These minor characters play significant roles in shaping the immigrant community’s collective experience. They provide support, guidance, and camaraderie to the main characters, reflecting the importance of community solidarity in overcoming adversity. For example, Mrs. Kawamura’s kindness towards the children underscores the bonds of empathy and compassion that unite the immigrant community.

Major Themes in “The Children” by Julie Otsuka

1. Immigration and Cultural Displacement:
   • Otsuka vividly portrays the struggles of Japanese immigrants as they navigate the challenges of assimilating into American society while preserving their cultural heritage.
   • For instance, the parents in the story grapple with the tension between maintaining traditional Japanese customs and adapting to American norms, such as language, food, and social customs.
   • The children, born or raised in America, face a sense of cultural displacement as they straddle two worlds, feeling neither fully Japanese nor fully American. This struggle is exemplified by their experiences in school, where they face discrimination and a lack of understanding from their peers.
2. Family Dynamics and Generational Divide:
   • Otsuka explores the complexities of family dynamics within immigrant households, emphasizing the generational gap between parents and children.
   • The narrative delves into the expectations placed on children by their parents, particularly regarding filial duty, academic achievement, and cultural preservation.
   • There is a palpable disconnect between parents, who cling to traditional values and roles, and their American-born children, who seek to forge their own identities and futures. This divide manifests in conflicts over language, values, and aspirations.
3. Identity and Belonging:
   • The theme of identity and belonging permeates the narrative as characters grapple with questions of self-discovery, cultural assimilation, and acceptance.
   • The children in the story struggle to reconcile their Japanese heritage with their American upbringing, facing pressure to conform to societal expectations while yearning for a sense of belonging.
   • Characters undergo journeys of self-exploration and acceptance, grappling with issues of cultural identity, racial identity, and self-expression. Their quest for belonging reflects the universal human desire to find a place where one is accepted and understood.
4. Loss, Trauma, and Resilience:
   • Otsuka sensitively explores themes of loss, trauma, and resilience, depicting the profound impact of historical events, such as war and displacement, on individual lives and collective memory.
   • Characters in the story confront various forms of loss, including the loss of homeland, cultural identity, loved ones, and innocence. These experiences shape their resilience and determination to survive and rebuild their lives.
   • Despite facing adversity and discrimination, characters in the story demonstrate remarkable resilience and fortitude, finding strength in community, familial bonds, and cultural heritage. Their resilience serves as a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure and overcome hardship.

Writing Style in “The Children” by Julie Otsuka

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Children” by Julie Otsuka

Literary Theory	Interpretation	Example from “The Children”
Feminist Criticism	Analyzes how gender roles and power dynamics shape the narrative.	The portrayal of women in the story, particularly the mothers and daughters, highlights the traditional roles they are expected to fulfill within both Japanese and American societies.
Postcolonial Theory	Explores the effects of colonization and cultural displacement on the characters and their identities.	The experiences of Japanese immigrants in America, including the children’s struggle with their dual identity and the loss of their cultural heritage, can be viewed through a postcolonial lens, highlighting the impact of displacement and assimilation on their sense of belonging.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Examines the characters’ behaviors and motivations through psychological frameworks such as Freudian or Jungian analysis.	The children’s subconscious desires to fit in with their American peers while also seeking approval from their Japanese parents can be analyzed using psychoanalytic theory, revealing the internal conflicts and anxieties they experience as they navigate their cultural identity.
Marxist Criticism	Focuses on class struggle and economic systems depicted in the story.	The economic challenges faced by Japanese immigrants, such as working in menial jobs and living in impoverished conditions, reflect the broader themes of class inequality and exploitation inherent in capitalist societies, as depicted in “The Children.”
Reader-Response Theory	Emphasizes the role of the reader in interpreting and constructing meaning from the text.	Different readers may empathize with various characters in the story based on their own cultural backgrounds and experiences, leading to diverse interpretations of “The Children” and its themes of identity, loss, and resilience.
New Historicism	Considers the historical and cultural context in which the story is set, examining how it influences the narrative and characters.	Understanding the anti-Japanese sentiment prevalent in America during the early to mid-20th century provides insight into the challenges faced by the characters in “The Children,” shedding light on the systemic racism and discrimination they encounter as immigrants.
Structuralism	Focuses on the underlying structures and patterns within the text, such as language and symbolism.	Analyzing the recurring motifs and symbols in “The Children,” such as the white paper lanterns and the imagery of nature, reveals the underlying structures that contribute to the narrative’s coherence and thematic depth, enhancing our understanding of the story’s underlying meanings.
Deconstruction	Challenges binary oppositions and explores the ambiguity and contradictions within the text.	The blurred boundaries between Japanese and American identities in “The Children” disrupt conventional notions of cultural binaries, inviting readers to question fixed categories and embrace the fluidity and complexity of identity formation in the context of immigration and assimilation.
Queer Theory	Examines representations of sexuality and gender identity in the narrative, including non-normative or marginalized perspectives.	While not explicitly focused on LGBTQ+ themes, “The Children” can be interpreted through a queer lens by exploring the characters’ experiences of cultural alienation and non-conformity, which resonate with broader themes of identity fluidity and the rejection of rigid social norms.
Ecocriticism	Considers the relationship between literature and the environment, examining how nature is depicted in the text and its significance.	The descriptions of nature in “The Children,” such as the imagery of trees, animals, and landscapes, evoke a sense of interconnectedness with the natural world and highlight the characters’ profound bond with their surroundings, reflecting themes of environmentalism and ecological consciousness.

Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “The Children” by Julie Otsuka

Topics

• Identity and Belonging: The struggle of Japanese-American children to reconcile their cultural heritage with the imposed American identity, and their constant sense of being outsiders.
• Generational Conflict: The clash between immigrant mothers, bound by tradition, and their Americanized children who yearn for assimilation and acceptance.
• The Loss of Innocence: The impact of prejudice, displacement, and internment on the psychological development and worldview of the children.
• Resilience and the Human Spirit: The enduring strength of the mothers and children despite immense hardship, and ways they find meaning and connection in adversity.
• Historical Memory and Responsibility: The novel’s role in preserving the often-overlooked experiences of Japanese-American children during World War II, and its call for social awareness of marginalized groups.

Questions

• How does the children’s perception of themselves change throughout the novel?
• In what ways do the children try to resist or embrace their Japanese heritage within the hostile American environment?
• How does Otsuka use language to convey the complex emotions of both mothers and children, even when they don’t fully understand each other?
• Does the novel suggest any ways to overcome generational and cultural conflicts, or does it highlight their inherent nature?
• How does “The Children” act as a form of historical testimony against the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during World War II?

Thesis Statements

• “The Children” by Julie Otsuka portrays the fracturing of identity among Japanese-American children due to forced assimilation, ultimately questioning the possibility of true belonging in a society built on exclusion.
• Otsuka’s sparse language and shifting perspectives in “The Children” highlight a profound generational gap, exposing the failure of immigrant mothers to protect their children from the harsh realities of prejudice and displacement.
• Through the lens of childhood innocence, Otsuka’s novel emphasizes the devastating human cost of wartime internment, revealing how systemic injustice robs children of their potential and fundamental right to a carefree existence.
• While emphasizing hardship and loss, “The Children” ultimately reveals the resilience of the human spirit, with subtle moments of connection and perseverance transcending the bleakness of the Japanese-American internment experience.
• Julie Otsuka’s “The Children” serves as a crucial literary work of remembrance, ensuring the experiences of Japanese-American children remain an indelible part of historical memory, and urging responsibility for preventing future injustices.

Note: These are just starting points. You can adjust the thesis statements to be more specific, depending on the essay you want to write.

Short Questions/Answers about/on “The Children” by Julie Otsuka

Question	Answer (with Example)
How does the novel depict the identity struggles of Japanese-American children?	The children grapple with conflicting cultural expectations. They are often teased for their Japanese heritage at school but feel ostracized by their parents’ traditional ways at home. * Example: “Because they were not allowed to speak Japanese at school, their parents spoke it at home, which made them feel like foreigners in their own house” (Otsuka, Chapter 2).
How does Otsuka use language to portray the emotional distance between mothers and children?	The simple, almost emotionless narration reflects the communication barrier. The mothers struggle to express their complex feelings in English, while the children become increasingly withdrawn. * Example: “They told them not to talk to strangers. They told them not to stand out. They told them to be careful.” (Otsuka, Chapter 1). This repetitive structure highlights the mothers’ anxieties but creates a sense of detachment.
How does the novel portray the loss of innocence among the children?	The children witness and experience prejudice and hardship, shattering their sense of security and trust. * Example: “When the soldiers came to take their fathers away, the children did not cry. They had never seen a grown man cry, and so they did not know how” (Otsuka, Chapter 3). This emphasizes their forced maturity due to the harsh realities they face.
How does the novel convey the resilience of the human spirit?	Despite the challenges, the mothers and children find moments of connection and hope. They hold onto traditions and create a sense of community. * Example: “In the evenings, they would sit together on the floor and sing Japanese songs. The songs were sad, but they were also beautiful, and they reminded them of home” (Otsuka, Chapter 4). This small act of cultural preservation signifies their enduring spirit.

Literary Works Similar to “The Children” by Julie Otsuka

1. When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka – Another novel by Julie Otsuka, this book explores the experiences of a Japanese-American family forced into internment camps during World War II, shedding light on themes of identity, loss, and resilience.
2. The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka – Also written by Julie Otsuka, this novel follows the lives of Japanese mail-order brides who immigrate to America in the early 20th century, touching on themes of cultural assimilation, discrimination, and the immigrant experience.
3. The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston – This memoir blends autobiography with Chinese folklore and mythology to explore the author’s experiences growing up as a Chinese-American woman and grappling with issues of cultural identity and family history.
4. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan – Amy Tan’s novel follows the lives of four Chinese immigrant families in San Francisco, exploring the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, as well as the challenges of navigating cultural identity and generational differences.
5. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri – This novel tells the story of a Bengali-American man named Gogol Ganguli, exploring themes of cultural identity, family dynamics, and the immigrant experience as he grapples with his heritage and tries to find his place in American society.

Suggested Readings about/on “The Children” by Julie Otsuka

Books

• Irons, Peter. Justice at War: The Story of the Japanese American Internment Cases University of California Press, 1993. (Offers historical and legal context crucial for understanding the backdrop of “The Children”).
• Uchida, Yoshiko. Desert exile: The uprooting of a Japanese American family. University of Washington Press, 2015. (Provides a firsthand account of internment for comparison and deeper understanding of Otsuka’s fictionalized perspective).
• Houston, Jeanne Wakatsuki, and James D. Houston. Farewell to Manzanar. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2002 (A touchstone of Japanese-American internment literature, valuable for exploring parallels and contrasts with Otsuka’s work).
• Scholarly Articles
• Lee, Jade Tsui-yu. Trauma, Precarity and War Memories in Asian American Writings. Springer Nature, 2020.
• Cisneros, Pamela. “Otsuka‘s The Buddha in the Attic: The Japanese American Immigrant Experience and Racial Prejudice in the US.” (2021).

Websites

• Densho Encyclopedia: Japanese American Incarceration: https://densho.org/
• Julie Otsuka’s author website: https://www.julieotsuka.com/books

Representative Quotations from “The Children” by Julie Otsuka

Quotation	Context
“They caught tadpoles and dragonflies down by the creek and put them into glass jars.”	This quotation highlights the innocence and curiosity of the children as they engage with nature, reflecting their playful and exploratory behavior despite the challenges they face.
“We praised them when they were kind to others but told them not to expect to be rewarded for their good deeds.”	This quotation illustrates the values instilled in the children by their parents, emphasizing the importance of kindness and humility in their upbringing, despite the lack of external validation.
“They folded squares of paper into airplanes and birds and watched them fly away.”	Here, the children find joy and escape in simple activities, showcasing their creativity and resilience in the face of adversity.
“A single flower means death.”	This poignant statement underscores the pervasive sense of loss and tragedy experienced by the characters, suggesting that even the smallest symbols carry weighty significance in their lives.
“They sat in the back of the classroom in their homemade clothes with the Mexicans and spoke in timid, faltering voices.”	This line depicts the children’s struggle to assimilate into American society, facing discrimination and marginalization in the classroom based on their ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
“They never got Valentines (they never sent Valentines).”	This quotation highlights the isolation and exclusion experienced by the children, emphasizing their alienation from typical childhood experiences and social norms.
“They learned that some people are born luckier than others and that things in this world do not always go as you plan.”	Here, the children come to understand the harsh realities of life, grappling with the unfairness and unpredictability of their circumstances.
“We’re just a bunch of Buddhaheads.”	This self-deprecating remark reflects the internalized stigma and sense of otherness felt by the characters, encapsulating their struggle to reconcile their cultural identity with the expectations of mainstream society.
“And when they were too lazy to leave the neighborhood they stayed at home and fought among themselves.”	This line speaks to the tensions and conflicts within the community, portraying the interpersonal dynamics and struggles for power among the children.
“Because they knew that no matter what they did they would never really fit in.”	This quotation captures the pervasive sense of alienation and displacement felt by the children, highlighting their struggle to find a sense of belonging in a society that often rejects them.