When the Emperor was Divine question 1

I do believe that Otsuka’s employs a minimalist approach in “When the Emperor was Divine”. However, I also believe that she does this on purpose in order to accomplish something concerning Japanese culture rather than for the sake of producing a minimalist novel.

                As stated in the question Otsuka’s style does lend a sort of muted tone to the story. Repressed emotional interaction coupled with the muted or monotone tone of the novel lead the reader into uncomfortable territory, as is intended for the reader is exploring a world in which they experience a foreign culture of which they most likely have had few run ins with.

                While the family in this novel is American it is also important to consider that the American culture is not the primary one for this family especially the mother for whom America is not the homeland. Otsuka purposefully employs this method to reflect Japanese culture which tends to be more reserved emotionally and less opinionated than our American culture.

                By using a minimalist or monotone approach Otsuka is able to better contrast the differences between these two cultures and the clash of both has an effect on the children. For example, the young boy who packs his baseball glove, reads comic books, and has cowboy and Indian curtains also has a statue of Buddha and longs for the times when his father would pluck caterpillars off plants with chopsticks. In many ways this young boy signifies the tug and pull of both cultures as he struggles to identify completely with either.

                While this novel may seem minimalist or monotone it is because that is the way it has to be. Without these characteristics the reader would not be able to fully see and experience Japanese culture. Most readers, unless they happen to be Japanese, would better identify with a more lively and emotional bunch of characters however; they would not be reading a novel about Japanese culture. It should feel like something different when reading this book because in all likelihood you have never seen the world through the lens of Japanese culture.