Yone Noguchi was born in Nagoya, Japan. He studied Haiku and Zen Buddhism, English philosophy and poetry at a university in Tokyo. He later moved to California. He was the first literary figure in two cultures to arrive in California. The short story “Some Stories of My Western Life” is an creative nonfiction of Yone Noguchi’s life as he left his homeland to go to California.
Yone Noguchi tells the story of his journey to California. In the beginning of the story Noguchi says that his friends wished him godspeed and how he became sad his eldest brother came to say goodbye to him from Yokohama. In the story, Noguchi shares his excitement when he sees “a vastness of water”. This one particular experience, the reader finds itself returning to a younger time of Noguchi’s life. He speaks of his first fishing party on the river Kiso, many years ago and how he got sick by the motion of the water. Here is when the reader finds out of Noguchi’s dislike of the sea. This is interesting to know because hid excitement to see the water when he first came to San Francisco is the complete opposite of hate.
Noguchi was very excited to come to America, but as the time went by he became alone and lost. He states, “I sat alone on the shaky bed through the silence of midnight, thinking how I should begin my new life in this foreign country. In my heart of hearts, I even acknowledged my dead mistake in coming to America” (332). This was very powerful because it is very relatable to many. Migrating to a new place, a new culture is hard and can be a culture shock. It does not come with instructions. Noguchi isolation is common in many immigrants who travel to a new foreign land. However, Noguchi didn’t give up. Eventually he found his platform and his “break” in [his] American life.
Noguchi’s story tells more than just a story about a boy who traveled to California, it depicts a life journey. The struggles and obstacles one must face when entering a world they do no understand. It speaks of patience and acceptance. Noguchi’s short story shares the story of an immigrant succeeding.
It would definitely require a great deal of courage to travel to America where you would be completely isolated. He struggled to find his footing in a new country and environment that was completely foreign to him. He was so excited to be there that he did whatever it took in order to be successful.
ReplyDeleteSamuel, I have liked reading your post. I think the character development and character traits that come from this story are very important. Noguchi seems to have been through a lot that really only made him stronger and braver in the end. I can't imagine going through what he went through yet he did it and came out stronger than before.
ReplyDeleteSamuel,
ReplyDeleteI did not read this story but from your description I can just imagine a young man traveling to a new country for the first time, especially one coming from a culture so far removed form the American culture. I am sure his obstacles were greater than someone who traveled here from Europe. I just wonder what compelled him to leave all that he knew to travel here?
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ReplyDeleteHi Samuel, I really enjoyed reading your analysis. It is interesting that Noguchi dislikes the sea. The reason I say this is because San Francisco is a peninsula and Japan are islands. I would assume that the sea would not bother him, but I am wrong. Just like Noguchi there are a lot of immigrants in the United States. I admire how brave they are to leave their country behind. I see that a lot of immigrants work harder than those who were born and grew up here in the United States and that a lot of them seem happier. They know how to have fun and enjoy life and I guess not let petty things bring them down. That is amazing. Thanks for sharing.
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