On Being Yukiko - Quotes

In On Being Yukiko, the dialogues play a crucial role in reflecting both the internal and external struggles of the characters as they grapple with their cultural identity.

Internal Struggles:

• Yukiko's Initial Confusion: Yukiko's opening lines, "I know I'm Canadian because I was born in Toronto...but if my name is Emma and I have brown hair and blue eyes, why did my parents give me a Japanese name too?" reveal her internal conflict. She questions her belonging and the seeming disconnect between her appearance and her Japanese name. This dialogue highlights her struggle to reconcile her Japanese heritage with her Canadian upbringing and physical appearance.

• Questioning Her 'Japaneseness': Yukiko's dialogue with her grandmother, "Yeah, I know, but you're Japanese and I am, well...like, only a quarter," underscores her internalised perception of being less Japanese due to her mixed heritage. This reflects a common struggle for individuals with mixed cultural backgrounds, where they may feel the need to quantify their belonging to a particular culture.

External Struggles:

• The Significance of Names: The dialogue surrounding Yukiko's Japanese name reflects the external pressures and expectations related to cultural identity. When Yukiko points out that her grandmother is the only one who calls her by her Japanese name, it reveals the subtle ways in which cultural identity can be affirmed or dismissed by others.

• Generational Differences: The conversations between Yukiko and her mother and grandmother highlight the differing perspectives on cultural identity across generations. While Yukiko's mother casually identifies as "hapa," her grandmother emphasises the importance of recognizing the historical and cultural context of their Japanese heritage. This intergenerational dialogue underscores the evolving understanding of cultural identity within the Japanese Canadian community.

The dialogues in On Being Yukiko effectively portray the complexities of cultural identity, showcasing both the internal doubts and external pressures that individuals with mixed heritage may experience. The conversations between characters serve to challenge simplistic notions of belonging and encourage a deeper understanding of what it means to be Japanese Canadian in a multicultural society.

Discussion questions

1. How do the dialogues in On Being Yukiko reflect the internal and external struggles of the characters in understanding their cultural identity?