The setting in Z.Z. Packer's story "Geese", was very important in understanding what the character went through by being a foreigner in Japan. Especially an American, African-american in Japan. Describing the setting down to the looks the native Japanese projected onto Dina, merely for her looks, because she stood out from the rest. Dina struggled immensely to lead a normal life, the Japanese looked down on her for her color, and at one point even made reference that the Japanese already look down on blacks and only see them fit for custodial jobs and cleaning or assume that they have a criminal background. Once Dina was out of the job at the water park, she had no luck in finding a job that was not custodial work, that she felt she deserved. Dina lived in a house with multiple people that were from all over who also had no luck and finding and keeping jobs. They were so broke through out the story they went with eating very little and having to steal for the things that they did have. Making their faces known around all the local stores because they had all gotten caught at some point shop lifting. The setting set the tone, for me to feel bad for Dina and the others, especially when she got to the point where she gave in to selling herself for money for food. That is something that I wish no one ever had to do, but with all the details from the setting Packer wrote I could see how Dina thought she had no other option to survive.
Life is like an elevator, On your way up sometimes you have to stop and let some people off. I really like this metaphor, because it is true. Over time there are so many people that come and go in our lives. Things happen, people grow and drift apart, while new come together. But, you cannot hold on to the ones that you have drifted apart from, or that are holding you back. Letting go is how you grow!
I agree with everything you said! This story is so sad, but they all did what they had to do.
ReplyDelete