Home: Palm Trees, Koreatown, Loneliness, Oranges, Lines, Babies, Crabs, Brooms?
“After hours, Bobby goes home. House’s in Koreatown, edge of
Pico-Union. Maybe it’s Koreatown, but he owns it. Stucco job with two palm
trees in front. Nobody home. Just him” (Yamashita, 18).
Here are some questions. Don’t feel obligated to respond to
all of them. If one angle interests you more than the other, take it.
What about Koreatown makes Bobby feel at home? What do you
make of the sentence “Maybe it’s Koreatown, but he owns it"? What about
Koreatown gives us that downbeat, that disclaimer, “maybe?” How does he own it?
Does his ownership have to do with his work, his identity, his relationships, or
the American Dream? Does he seem to enjoy his “stucco job?” As an immigrant, do
his expectations meet reality? Are the “two palm trees” real or fake? How might
Bobby’s opinion about palm trees compare to Buzzworm’s and his classmates’ (Chapter
4, bottom of page 32)? How does the fact that he’s alone change the meaning of “home?”
What does that say about Bobby’s character?
Following this idea of home… How do Rafaela and Sol’s version
of “home” contrast with Bobby’s? Are they more at home in Mexico than Los
Angeles? How do the orange and the Tropic of Cancer line (i.e. the description
on page 12) add to the concept of home? At one point, the orange is compared to
a baby, and the line a parent.
“Rafaela glanced back toward the orange tree and the single
orange, suddenly aware of the only possible and yet entirely impossible thing
that could obstruct the intensity of the sun’s light at this hour, slicing the
heavy atmosphere with cruel precision” (13).
Is Sol the orange? Why is his name Sol if he can obstruct
the intensity of the sun? What is that “only possible and yet entirely
impossible thing?” Circling back to Bobby, how does this description of life in
Mexico compare with that of life in Koreatown? Can people feel at home when
embodied by, say, fruit or other animals or something else in nature? Why does
Rafaela constantly sweep out a bunch of living things from the house (page 3,
etc.)? How do those insects and creatures, dead and alive, add to the concept
of home? What do they represent, and do we ever see humans get swept out like
them?
YOU DON'T HAVE TO RESPOND TO ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS. RESPOND TO 1! TO 2! ANY BIT OF INSIGHT IS MUCH APPRECIATED. :))
YOU DON'T HAVE TO RESPOND TO ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS. RESPOND TO 1! TO 2! ANY BIT OF INSIGHT IS MUCH APPRECIATED. :))
Yamashita introduces the character of Bobby in a very interesting way. She seems to dumb down her sentences and her sentences structures, leaving only vital information, nothing useless in between the lines. I may be forcing something here, but this could be symbolic of the clearly simple life that Bobby is currently living. I am not saying that his past has been simple, it is anything but simple. But, now he seems to have found harmony with his environment, Koreatown, his home. Bobby knows what he wants and he knows what that is worth. In that sense, he owns his town. Everyone is stuck looking for something that they will never find, but Bobby knows what he has to do to get by. He is told to stop smoking, so he does. Just like that. He sleeps in his house, but this whole town is his home. He spends his days taking over the city, learning and traveling. His home is what his area is made of, not where he lives.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, homes are not just the building or the people inside, but they are everything that makes them up. The fruit rotting on the roof, the cats running through the backyard, the power lines running overhead. It seems like the orange and the geographic location of the the home Rafaela is watching. Yamashita introduces the home like the insects and critters inside help make up the home, simply because it is part of the routine and the daily life of that area. Every morning Rafaela wakes up only to find bugs, birds, spiders dead on the ground, no knowing where they came from or how they got in. It is the same for the termites in the wood, these creatures are what make this house a home. Additionally, the features on the outside of the house only bolster its title as a home. This place would not be the same home that it is without the orange trees or the dirt roads around it.
My theory for for the Tropic of Cancer is that it is acting like a Bermuda Triangle of sorts, but I have no evidence to back that up. Just a theory.
It is not Koreatown which makes Bobby feel at home, it is his utilic personality that makes it so that “he owns it.” Yamashita introduces Bobby as a character that seems to be completely detached from his heritage, prioritizing perpetual “Hustling” and “Moving” over everything else. He seems to be in a state of perpetual becoming, always moving and being elastic to his circumstances. The reader learns that “Bobby had it easy.” But, then he didn’t, so he went to Vietnamese refugees camps so he could go to America. Not Vietnamese? He didn’t mind. He changed his name. In America, his brother was having trouble, so he provided for him. Then, he fell in love. She spoke spanish, so he spoke to her exclusively in Spanish. Bobby seems to find happiness in adapting to situations for other peoples gain, proven by the fact that after explaining how he broke up with his wife Yamashita says that the “Happier he is, harder he works. Can’t stop. Gotta make money. Provide for his family. Gotta buy his wife nice clothes. Gotta buy his kid the best. Bobby’s kid’s gonna know the good life. That’s how Bobby sees it.” Bobby wants to make the people around him have better lives, whether it be his wife, brother, or father who he still supports. He will do whatever it takes. The chapter even ends with him quitting smoking (despite him always having a cigarette in his mouth) because “Rafaela said he’s gotta stop,” “That’s it.” Bobby doesn’t really have expectations, he just always does what it takes to make lives better for whoever he cares for.
ReplyDelete*ebook, no page numbers
We do not know particularly much about Bobby yet, so I am not sure if I can describe what about Koreatown makes him feel at “home" (or whether he feels at home there at all). However, if he did feel at home there, I would think that it had something to do with being in a community of other foreigners who have had similar experiences in the city. I believe that the “maybe” disclaimer references the fact that while Bobby is not Korean (which would imply to others that he does not fit in with the people in Koreatown), his complex ethnic identity as a “Chinese from Singapore with a Vietnam name speaking like a Mexican” (15) conveys an air of uncertainty and power to others, which grants him a place in the community. And since the text describes him as “owning” Koreatown, I think that Bobby has a certain authority among his neighbors, whether this derives from his successful business and acquiring of wealth (as demonstrated by his house with two palm trees out front) or his determined, hard-working personality; it seems like Bobby's community respects him and maybe even fears him a little.
ReplyDeleteI had not thought about the possibility of the orange representing Sol, but I am interested to hear what the class will have to say about this in our discussion tomorrow. In reference to the little boy’s name, I think it represents his power as a driving force in the story and in Rafaela and Bobby’s relationship. Rafaela clings to him as her one connection to the life she had in Los Angeles, and Bobby works diligently every day just so he can “buy his kid the best” so he will “know a good life” (17). I don’t think it is the orange which "obstructs the intensity of the sun’s light” and casts a shadow on the ground, but rather the line which represents the Tropic of Cancer (usually on maps). Somehow, Rafaela recognizes that the “entirely impossible thing” is this perfectly straight line, which “slices the heavy atmosphere with cruel precision" and “cuts through the earth” (13).
Lastly, I believe that the insects and creatures swept out of the house by Rafaela add to the concept of home in that they depict Gabriel’s vacation home as livable; even though he does not visit as regularly and the house never seems to be finished, this description of living things feeling comfortable in the house sort of send the image that it will one day be complete enough for a human (Gabriel) to feel comfortable in it. We do see humans who are swept out the same way as these animals—many of them are immigrants who come to Los Angeles for a better life and are then rejected by society as outcasts or as individuals who simply cannot fit in.
As previously mentioned by other commentators, the use of dumbing down sentences creates a certain image of Bobby. Personally, I took the shortened lines to reflect his personality as straightforward and no nonsense. A man of little fluff but purely based on moving from objective to objective. And for that reason, it makes sense for him to not particularly care about if its Koreatown. The maybe its Korea town suggests to me that he cares less about the actual location of the house, but just that it is his and that he worked for it. While not specific to LA, there is the American Dream of owning a home, which i think is what he partially fulfills in owning the house, something particularly desired from immigrants like himself. It is too early to tell whether the sentences paint an accurate picture of Bobby, as this is only his first story.
ReplyDeleteYamashito's use of language within each chapter gives each individual character a unique voice that represents themselves and their lives. In Chapter 2, she uses short, abrupt sentences to describe the life of Bobby. Personally, I think that these quick descriptions and sentences reveal a sense of unimportance and uncertainty in Bobby’s life. For example on page 15 Yamashito write, “You say, look at his name. That’s gotta be Vietnam. Gnu. Bobby Ngu. They all got Ngu names. Hey, it’s not his real name. Real name’s Li Kwan Yu. But don’t tell nobody. Go figure. Bobby’s Chinese. Chinese from Singapore with a Vietname name speaking like a Mexican living in Koreatown. That’s it.” I think that this type of sentence structure is used to create a dismissal affect that the author uses to form a sense of transparency around the character. The description of Bobby’s life provides the reader with the sense that he isn’t exactly satisfied with this seemingly simple life that is represented in plain, fragmented sentences. In contrast, life in Mexico is depicted with much greater detail and enthusiasm. On page 11, Yamashito describes the greenery, “The variety of citrus trees was commendable: Italian blood oranges, mandarins, valencies, Mexican limes, their green foliage spreading a rich blanket across the land.” Yamashito’s use of imagery gives more color and excitement to life in Mexico. It can be implied that Rafaela is quite content with her life in Mexico, and is described as “smart, savvy, and eager to take on the tasks at hand.” These descriptions provide the reader with a greater sense of the character and the “status” of her life. I think that Yamashito’s sentence structure and contrasting descriptive language gives a significant distinction between life in Mexico and life in Koreatown.
ReplyDeleteIn your question about Bobby you ask many questions about him and his correlation to the word "home". I know this isn't directly a question, but I believe that Bobby has strong connections to the word home and the character offers a major statement about the idea of what one's home is and isn't. Obviously we haven't read enough of the book yet to know for certainty what the author is trying to say about Bobby and the theme of ones "home", but there are definitely ties. I believe that Bobby is a great character to carry this theme because he is a character without a central "home". He doesn't live in his home country, he doesn't talk like his home language, his name doesn't even sound like a name at his home, yet he is a developed and impactful character. I believe the author using all of these contrasts from what is typically though of as a "home" helps create their perspective of what they believe one's home is.
ReplyDeleteI believe someone mentioned this in class, but my idea of Bobby is similar to that of a fast-paced businessman. Many people above have referenced the syntax and rhythm of the Koreatown chapter. I think the style is intentional and is intended to indirectly create an image of Bobby' characters. I feel like the the Koreatown chapter enhanced an idea that Bobby may be afraid of intimacy... "Lately she found herself talking to an invisible Bobby.." In the first chapter, we are allowed little insight into the relationship between Raphaela and Bobby. It is clear that the they are split, but he still seems to be a weighing presence in her mind. After reading Koreatown and it's staccato presentation of Bobby, I felt like the we are supposed to know about Bobby without him/ the book having to reveal that much. Connecting the information from the second chapter to that line in the first, it felt like Bobby is down to business, distant and possibly afraid of being personal. I think the line, "Maybe its Koreatown, but he owns it" is playing up that macho, self-consumed characteristic of Bobby? Which in the its entirety could be the style of his character because he wants to live with power rather than live with people... So even when he is alone, anyplace can be home.
ReplyDeleteYour question about the idea of home in relation to Rafaela, Sol, and Bobby addresses an interesting point. While Rafaela and Sol do not live in Gabriel's home in Mexico, I'm not sure if they can truly feel at home there. While Rafaela's roots trace back there, I don't think their physically being there necessarily makes them feel "at home". With Bobby, he is living now without his family, Rafaela and Sol. Through various descriptions, I have inferred that despite their disagreements, Bobby cares for his family's well being. In this, I have looked at this idea of "home" being who/what the characters surround themselves with rather than a physical location, such as Mexico or Los Angeles. Rafaela loves Sol, so for them to be together can mean a feeling of "home". Because they are separated from Bobby, this can cause a feeling of being lost for him. He might find himself without the feeling of home. With looking at the description of the Tropic of Cancer line and the orange, this idea of "home" can further be looked into. The orange clinging to the line like a child to a parent furthers the idea that "home" can mean a person or feeling of comfort and belonging, not necessarily a place.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how/if this idea of home translates to a larger theme in the role of Los Angeles. Do non-natives ever feel at home in Los Angeles? Do immigrants like Bobby ever find themselves feeling like they belong?
In examining Bobbys idea of home, I believe that it is very busy and alone in his new home. He always seems to be up and involved with a task whether it be wrapped around providing for his family or sending money back home to his father in Singapore, he is always busy. As stated on page 17, "It's not just the kid and the wife. Bobby's gotta send money to his dad. Back in Singapore. Keep the old man alive. This quote display's this idea of Bobby being alone and by himself, but still having to provide for others. Speaking for Rafaela and Sol’s experience it seems a little bit more relaxed when compared to Bobby's. The reason behind my ideology being that in the experiences that Rafaela and Sol encounter their focuses and description are less focused on their experiences in their surroundings but rather what their surroundings look like. I noticed from their descriptions much more discussion about their setting as opposed to whats happening in that setting.
ReplyDeleteThe ending of chapter two seems to explore a different side to Bobby's character. A side that is working to send money to his dad, pay for his brothers college and wants to be with Rafaela and Sol. Bobby is characterized as a hard worker, he had it “easy” in Singapore but when him and his brother moved he was all his brother had. He admits that he can't do it without Rafaela and Sol. He decides to stop smoking thinking that will bring them back. The way Bobby is described makes his character seem adaptable to different situations. When he found out his brother needed help to pay for college, he provided him this help. I think his adaptable nature can answer your first question about what it means when he calls Koreatown home. Home has a different meaning to everybody, and home for Bobby can be where he feels he is comfortable and in control. When he is without Rafaela and Sol there is a part of his life missing, that he strives to get back
ReplyDeleteThe theme of "home" in the novel is very fascinating. Many of the main characters, including Rafaela and Bobby, are at some point detached from their home, and make necessary adaptations and adopt new homes. This detachment from home and adoption of new "homes" serves to show that the different sectors and commuities of Los Angeles have become the adopted home of immigrants.
ReplyDeleteI found Bobby's adaptation to Koreatown, the community which became his new home, interesting. While Bobby's true "home" is Singapore, he adapts to Koreatown in order to start a new life in the United States.While he makes this adaptation to Koreatown, I think that Bobby feels at home in Koreatown because he can be more involved in its community. Coming straight into the United States from Singapore, Bobby feels more comfortable interacting with other immigrants which prompts him to label Koreatown as his home.
Bobby's relationship with Korea Town is metallic and reminiscent to the relationship between thousands of angelenos and their homes. Los Angeles loves and hates nature. Throughout this unit we have talked about LA's relationship with nature and it is clear that the mountains are respected for their view, but most other natural aspects of our city are neglected like the river and the air. In this case when comparing Bobby's appreciation for Korea Town it is clear that he appreciates its metropolitan aspects, which draws comparisons to how most Angelenos feel about our city. On the other hand, Rafaela respects nature and beauty much more. She worships the orange tree and makes sure the animals die where they should lie, outside. Gabriel is somewhat in between in that he buys the house in Mexico to get away from the city, but is eventually finding it to costly to escape therefore indirectly contributing to the appreciation of the metallic, materialistic city. These perspectives of appreciation for nature in our city is definitely a theme and topic I would love to talk about especially because no one wants to admit their contributing every day to the destruction of our valley.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read about Rafaela sweeping the creatures off the porch, I immediately thought of the theme that we have explored about coming to LA to die. I understand that this was happening in Mexico, but it can be viewed that she was sweeping Bobby right out of her life for that moment. Similarly, the snake returns several times to just scurry away and is just ignored. I am unsure as to what creature Bobby is reflected as, but I believe there is some connection there. Rafaela seems to casually sweep them away in a similar manner that Bobby beats up that jacker in Koreatown. Both Bobby and Rafaela are either protecting or cleaning their current "home," but I would argue that those homes are temporary. Are all homes temporary in Los Angeles? The relationship between the two has a feeling of temperance. They work temporary jobs and are separated for a temporary amount of time. This relationship between death and Los Angeles is apparent in each text that we have read and seem like an exciting road to follow.
ReplyDeleteIn what we know about Bobby as of now, I think the idea of "home" is more complex then it seems. Home goes beyond being just a place where you reside but it is also a place where one feels comfortable and safe and most importantly a place where family is always there. Moving from Singapore to the United States, Bobby has had to find a way to adapt and get used to this new place he will be calling home. He is on a journey to finding that feeling of security and reassurance that comes with being at home. In Los Angeles, Rafaela and Sol are home to Bobby. He has gotten used to Koreatown and the dynamics of the city. Since he isn’t at home in Singapore, Koreatown is also the closest he gets to a home whether that’s because the city reminds him of Singapore or because his perspective of a home is much more different then what an common perspective would be. Since we haven’t completely discovered Bobby as a character I think it would be interesting to figure out what kind of character he really is.
ReplyDelete