Beyond Beats and Rhymes free essay sample

The box that Byron is speaking of Is that they write songs about bitched, hoes, drugs and killing others, In other words objectifying women and masculinity. In order to support his thesis that hip-hop has changed dramatically from its original roots, he went to Florida for an event being held by a popular hip hop network. While at this event he greatly proves his point, he shows people freestyles and battling and all they rap about Is killing people and akin other men feel like women by calling them bitched and fights etc.Everything he sees at this event shows different types of conflict models. It shoes white majority vs.. Ethnic molesters when rappers talk about living In ghettos and white people who live In the suburbs listen to rap as their only means of understanding what black people go through In their lives you could also Include wealthy vs. We will write a custom essay sample on Beyond Beats and Rhymes or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page . The working class in this argument. Patriarchy vs.. Feminism is also great discussed in this film when he talks about women from Spaceman College in Atlanta ere angry at Newly for sliding a credit card through a womans butt crack in one of his music videos.Hip-hop could get step out of the box very easily all they have to do is start rapping about the good side of African American life and avoid the negative. Be the innovators of change for the African American society, by giving back to the communities. They should lead by example they have great power and a voice that people will listen too if they used it to speak about change and education people will listen.

Dicussion Example

Dicussion Example Dicussion – Coursework Example Symbolic Boundaries of Symbolic Boundaries Symbolic boundaries remain as a concept that allows people to be categorized into groups. In simple words, it can be said that the sociologists taking in-depth analysis of the cultural aspects of society claim symbolic boundaries as an imperative manner to understand the precision of creating groups. This paper aims to discuss symbolic boundaries impacting personal life. It should be noted that symbolic boundaries are present in the social environment of every individual from different classes. Considering about the symbolic boundaries that I have witnessed around me includes religious thinking that creates a distinction between classes the profane and sacred (Callaghan, 1994). In addition, the most common symbolic boundary that tends to impact social lives of people is the pattern of achieving knowledge. Not all groups within the society are considered to be curious. Therefore, groups that share similar thirst for gaining knowledge merge th emselves into one category. This is evident within my social boundary as well because I pursue a higher degree (Callaghan, 1994). As a matter fact, symbolic boundaries are in no way similar to that of social boundaries. The class distinction by symbolic boundaries is created in terms of common beliefs. On the other hand, social boundaries are clear stratification of the groups divided on the basis of symbolic boundaries. Through the above analysis, it can be well asserted that symbolic boundaries remain a very evident aspect of our lives. We are fully surrounded by thoughts and categories that make us a stay in a group with an identity. ReferenceCallaghan, K. (1994). Ideals of Feminine Beauty: Philosophical, Social, and Cultural Dimensions. New York: Greenwood Press.

Unauthorized immigration to the united states Essay

Unauthorized immigration to the united states - Essay Example ught to our attention the amount of illegal immigration taking place in the US and what are the affects of the formal on the US labor force and the US economy. It must be remembered why the Europeans migrated from Europe to the Americas. They were facing problems in Europe. Why must today when some Mexican immigrant, is facing difficulty in his/her country and, flees to the US is called an illegal immigrant? He or she should be treated with respect and given proper documentation to become a visitor or a worker. The easiest point to argue is that it is not good for the immigrant themselves to come to US illegally. â€Å"More than a fifth of the illegal sample was paid less than the minimum wage on their most recent job†(Espenshade 207). As mentioned, illegal immigrants are paid overall fewer wages than legal immigrants. One important point must be kept in mind. The so-called fewer wages are still more than what the immigrant can ever earn in a country like Mexico. The immigrant will be able to support their entire family the basis of that low wage. It is a low wage to the average American, not the poverty stricken Mexican who is living like a king in the US compared to his Mexican family members. It important to keep in mind what kind of country the immigrant is arriving from. There should be a different law for people wanting to migrate from third world countries. The general view among the average American citizen is that when immigrants arrive they take away jobs from the average American. Or if not that, due to vast labor availability they lower the wage standard for everyone. However, the truth is anything but that. â€Å"When the broader US economy is examined, it is difficult to find strong evidence of negative effects on native workers†(Espenshade 208). It is a known truth that the undocumented labor force is performing jobs that the average American would like to execute. The undocumented worker in working in the fields, or as labor in the construction

The analysis of Eminems lyrics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The analysis of Eminems lyrics - Essay Example The essay "The analysis of Eminem’s lyrics" analyzes the reasons that in Eminem's lyrics he talks about taking care or protecting them like they are objects. Eminem was raised in Detroit with a mother who according to him was an alcoholic. He had a daughter, Hailie with his girlfriend, Kim, who later became his wife. These three women affected Eminem’s lyrics immensely. Toward his mother, Eminem is very bitter. On one CD he sings, â€Å"You selfish bitch; I hope you fuckin burn in hell for this shit† in the song Cleaning out My Closet. Eminem cannot prevent his mother’s addiction to prescription pills, so he talks about her using profanities and death wishes. Another example of Eminem’s disrespect for his wife appears on the 8 Mile soundtrack. In his lyrics, Eminem puts Kim in a traditional role as a mother of his child or a piece of property as his wife. Eminem even wrote a song (not playable on the radio stations) about Kim on the Marshall Mathers LP detailing how he would torture and kill her. The last lines were â€Å"NOW BLEED! BITCH BLEED!BLEED! BITCH BLEED! BLEED†. Kim’s offense was to cheat on him. In his album The Eminem Show, Eminem raps, â€Å"But the smartest shit I did was take the bullets outta that gun Cuz I'da killed him; shit I woulda shot Kim and them both†. Eminem is not coming out and saying that he wishes the laws of the middle ages were in effect concerning women, but his songs show that if Kim Mathers had cheated on him a couple of centuries ago, she would have been dead.

Causes of World War One Essay Example for Free

Causes of World War One Essay World War One was a turning point in history. Many scholars study this event and what caused this huge conflict. Germany used to be the sole one responsible for this war, but many controversial debates later, the blame was gradually put on the other great powers of Europe as well. In this essay, I will be analyzing the main causes of WWI, especially targeting the long-term causes. Most of these causes and events may be classified into 4 main themes: imperialism, the alliance system, militarism nationalism. Imperialism contributed greatly to the outbreak of WWI. Imperialism is when a country takes over other lands and subjects them to their rule to extend their power and influence. In the pre-WWI era, the great powers of Europe strove to expand their empires. Germany, who only became an united nation in 1871, desired a large empire like Britain’s, who at the time had an empire that stretched out over 5 continents and colonized about 1/3 of the world. However, Germany only had a few pieces of Africa. Soon, though, they decided they wanted more. In 1896, Admiral Muller said to Prince Henry of Germany, â€Å"either we harness the total strength of the nation ruthlessly, even if it means accepting the risk of a major war, or we limit ourselves to continental power alone.† This shows how much Germany would do for more land and power. It clearly shows they prioritized developing their empire over suppressing war if it arose. In 1897, Prince von Bulow of Germany said, â€Å"We don’t want to put anyone else in the shade but we too demand a place in the sun.† It is suggested that Germany wanted more of Africa and Asia. The fierce competition over lands caused incredible tension between the great powers. Each country wanted to dominate more lands to increase their trades and power. This can also be seen in the First Moroccan Crisis. France and Germany had begun to motion towards war over the colonization of Morocco. France, assisted by Britain and Russia, wanted to colonize Morocco, whilst Germany, who was weakly supported by Austria-Hungary wanted to annoy France and create strain in the Entente Cordiale’s friendship, as well as keep Morocco independent so it would be easier to conquer and keep trading with them. This shows how easily countries may begin to consider war and attack to take over new lands. Another event that shows clear intent of imperialism is the Bosnian Crisis in 1908, when Austria-Hungary took over Bosnia, tension grew so thick between Austria-Hungary and Serbia that with one tiny trigger, war would be a possible threat. Another main cause of WWI was militarism. Britain, who had the strongest navy at that time, felt threatened when Germany decided they wanted to build their navy power as well. The Anglo-German naval race of 1906-12 started when Kaiser William II of Germany released the Tirpitz Plan, which was a plan to increase Germany’s naval size. The British brought out the HMS Dreadnought, a deadly battleship, in 1906. Though Britain eventually won, it was clear Germany posed a serious threat. There was also an increase of armed forces which created the mood and atmosphere for war. By 1900, Russia had the biggest army of 1.1 million, though the number had decreased to 0.8 million by 1914. The armies of Germany and France had more than doubled from 1870, though England’s army had not increased much as they prioritized the naval race over building their army. With this attitude to building their military power, it was inevitable that these thoughts would eventually lead to putting the m to use. The alliance system also contributed greatly to the war. An alliance is when 2 or more countries form a type of ‘friendship’ where if one country is in trouble, the other/others would step in and help. The two main alliances were the Triple Entente, which consisted of France, Britain and Russia, and the Triple Alliance of Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary. The Triple Entente, formed in 1907, remained strong as ever even when Germany tried to sever their bonds in an argument with France over Morocco. Additionally, Russia and Germany signed unofficial secret ‘reassurance treaties’ though it was not renewed in 1890 when William II of Germany took over. This led Russia to search for a new ally. In the end, France and Russia formed an alliance in 1894. This was exactly what Germany had hoped to avoid as now they were sandwiched between the 2 countries, leaving them extremely vulnerable in the case of an attack. However, William II was young and felt no need to have Russia on their side. It should be taken into account that if there wasn’t an alliance system, WII might not have been a ‘world war’, just one between Austria-Hungary and Serbia after an immediate cause- the trigger event of the assassination of the heir of the Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Bosnia on 28th, June 1914. The assassination of the Archduke was committed by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist. He was part of the ‘Black Hand’, a secret Serbian nationalist society. This links to nationalism as the Serbs were tired of being ruled by the Austro-Hungarians, and in return, murdered Austro-Hungary’s heir. This shows how much they were wiling to do to make their point. This also links back to the alliance system. France, bound by treaty to Russia, found themselves at war against Germany, and by extension, war against Austria Hungary. Meanwhile, Britain who was allied to France, declared war on Germany. Once again, it should be mentioned that if it were not for the alliance system, perhaps not as many countries would’ve been involved in the war.

The Three Branches of the U.S. Federal Government Essay -- United Stat

The Three Branches of the Federal Government There are three branches of the federal government, the executive, the judicial, and the legislative. The executive branch consists of such people as the president, the cabinet, and the executive offices of the president. The executive branch is known for enforcing laws created by the legislative branch. The judicial branch entails the United States Supreme Court and the Federal Judiciary. The judicial branch must review the laws the executive branch is to enforce. There is also the legislative branch. This branch contains the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, and the Library of Congress. Laws are created through the legislative branch. The basic idea between the creation of the three branches is based upon â€Å"checks and balances.† No branch should become so powerful that it over-takes either of the other branches. This also brings out the point that neither one of these branches, nor any person holding office in one of them, can exercise power belonging to either of the others. The legislative branch creates the laws, the judicial branch reviews the law, and then the executive branch enforces the laws. All three branches are interrelated, each branch overlaps but serves separate purposes. The main powers of the executive branch rest with the President of the United States of America. Powers granted to him by the constitution include serving as commander in chief of the armed forces; negotiating treaties; appointing federal judges, ambassadors, and cabinet officials; and acting as head of state. The president also has a cabinet which includes officials such as the attorney general and the secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, Interior, Agricu... ...ve. The legislative branch deals with the people, not directly, but in similar terms. The judicial branch could be considered the most democratic because the judicial branch is set-up to protect the people and their rights. While the legislative branch speaks for the people, the judicial branch protects the people. The executive branch does a combination of both the judicial branch and the legislative branch; however, it doesn’t focus solely on one power or the other. The executive branch works for the people, at the same time protecting the people. The executive branch has the power to veto bills and laws passed by the Congress, and the executive branch sees the laws through. All the branches, however democratic, are set-up for the people and to carry out the public’s will. If any of the branches were unable to do so, the system would not have survived 200 years.

A Family Supper by Kazuo Ishiguro Essay

Theme: is the conflict between generations in changing Japan. Meaning †¨the ways of past generations are giving way to new values that have not been fully developed in the younger generations. One exanple of this being that suicide, carried out in the face of defeat have now lost of its meaning and honor in younger generations. His mom is the ghost The fugu fish and the story of Mr. Watanabe and his family are subtle hints about the end of the story, foreshadowing. Are you moving to California THEME Symbols: Fish, mom, ghost Fugu is a fish caught off the Pacific shores of Japan. The fish has held a special significance for me ever since my mother died after eating one. The poison resides in the sex glands of the fish, inside two fragile bags. These bags must be removed with caution when preparing the fish, for any clumsiness will result in the poison leaking into the veins. Regrettably, it is not easy to tell whether or not this operation has been carried out successfully. The proof is, as it were, in the eating. Fugu poisoning is hideously painful and almost always fatal. If the fish has been eaten during the evening, the victim is usually overtaken by pain during his sleep. He rolls about in agony for a few hours and is dead by morning. The fish became extremely popular in Japan after the war. Until stricter regulations were imposed, it was all the rage to perform the hazardous gutting operation in one’s own kitchen, then to invite neighbors and friends round for the feast. At the time of my mother’s death, I was living in California. My relationship with my parents had become somewhat strained around that period and consequently I did not learn of the circumstances of her death until I returned to Tokyo two years later. Apparently, my mother had always refused to eat fugu, but on this particular occasion she had made an exception, having been invited by an old school friend whom she was anxious not to offend. It was my father who supplied me with the details as we drove from the airport to his house in the Kamakura district. When we finally arrived, it was nearing the end of a sunny autumn day. â€Å"Did you eat on the plane?† my father asked. We were sitting on the tatami floor of his tearoom. â€Å"They gave me a light snack.† â€Å"You must be hungry. We’ll eat as soon as Kikuko arrives.† My father was a formidable-looking man with a large stony jaw and furious black eyebrows. I think now, in retrospect, that he much resembled Chou En-lai, although he would not have cherished such a comparison, being particularly proud of the pure samurai blood that ran in the family. His general presence was not one that encouraged relaxed conversation; neither were things helped much by his odd way of stating each remark as if it were the concluding one. In fact, as I sat opposite him that afternoon, a boyhood memory came back to me of the time he had struck me several times around the head for â€Å"chattering like an old woman.† Inevitably, our conversation since my arrival at the airport had been punctuated by long pauses. â€Å"I’m sorry to hear about the firm,† I said when neither of us had spoken for some time. He nodded gravely. v â€Å"I see.† â€Å"We were partners for seventeen years. A man of principle and honor. I respected him very much.† â€Å"Will you go into business again?† I asked. â€Å"I am. . .in retirement. I’m too old to involve myself in new ventures now. Business these days has become so different. Dealing with foreigners. Doing things their way. I don’t understand how we’ve come to this. Neither did Watanabe.† He sighed. â€Å"A fine man. A man of principle.† The tearoom looked out over the garden. From where I sat I could make out the ancient well that as a child I had believed to be haunted. It was just visible now through the thick foliage. The sun had sunk low and much of the garden had fallen into shadow. â€Å"I’m glad in any case that you’ve decided to come back,† my father said. â€Å"More than a short visit, I hope.† â€Å"I’m not sure what my plans will be.† â€Å"I, for one, am prepared to forget the past. Your mother, too, was always ready to welcome you back– upset as she was by your behavior.† â€Å"I appreciate your sympathy. As I say, I’m not sure what my plans are.† â€Å"I’ve come to believe now that there were no evil intentions in your mind,† my father continued. â€Å"You were swayed by certain†¦influences. Like so many others.† â€Å"Perhaps we should forget it, as you suggest.† â€Å"As you will. More tea?† Just then a girl’s voice came echoing through the house. â€Å"At last.† My father rose to his feet. â€Å"Kikuko has arrived.† Despite our difference in years, my sister and I had always been close. Seeing me again seemed to make her excessively excited, and for a while she did nothing but giggle nervously. But she calmed down somewhat when my father started to question her about Osaka and her university. She answered him with short, formal replies. She in turn asked me a few questions, but she seemed inhibited by the fear that the questions might lead to awkward topics. After a while, the conversation had become even sparser than prior to Kikuko’s arrival. Then my father stood up, saying: â€Å"I must attend to the supper. Please excuse me for being burdened by such matters. Kikuko will look after you.† My sister relaxed quite visibly once he had left the room. Within a few minutes, she was chatting freely about her friends in Osaka and about her classes at university. Then quite suddenly she decided we should walk in the garden and went striding out onto the veranda. We put on some straw sandals that had been left along the veranda rail and stepped out into the garden. The light in the garden had grown very dim. â€Å"I’ve been dying for a smoke for the last half hour,† she said, lighting a cigarette. â€Å"Then why didn’t you smoke?† She made a furtive gesture back toward the house, then grinned mischievously. â€Å"Oh, I see,† I said. â€Å"Guess what, I’ve got a boyfriend now.† â€Å"Oh, yes?† â€Å"Except I’m wondering what to do. I haven’t made up my mind yet.† â€Å"Quite understandable.† â€Å"You see, he’s making plans to go to America. He wants me to go with him as soon as I finish studying.† â€Å"I see. And you want to go to America?† â€Å"If we go, we’re going to hitchhike.† Kikuko waved a thumb in front of my face. â€Å"People say it’s dangerous, but I’ve done it in Osaka and it’s fine.† â€Å"I see. So what is it you’re unsure about?† We were following a narrow path that wond through the shrubs and finished by the old well. As we walked, Kikuko persisted in taking unnecessarily theatrical puffs on her cigarette. â€Å"Well, I’ve got a lot of friends in Osaka. I like it there. I’m not sure I want to leave them all behind just yet. And Suichi†¦I like him, but â€Å"I’m not sure I want to spend so much time with him. Do you understand?† â€Å"Oh, perfectly.† She grinned again, then skipped on ahead of me until she had reached the well. â€Å"Do you remember,† she said as I came walking up to her, â€Å"how you used to say this well was haunted?† â€Å"Yes, I remember.† We both peered over the side. â€Å"Mother always told me it was the old woman from the vegetable store you’d seen that night,† she said. â€Å"But I never believe her and never came out here alone.† â€Å"Mother used to tell me that too. She even told me once the old woman had confessed to being the ghost. Apparently, she’d been taking a shortcut through our garden. I imagine she had some trouble clambering over these walls.† Kikuko gave a giggle. She then turned her back to the well, casting her gaze about the garden. â€Å"Mother never really blamed you, you know,† she said, in a new voice. I remained silent. â€Å"She always used to say to me how it was their fault, her’s and Father’s, for not bringing you up correctly. She used to tell me how much more careful they’d been with me, and that’s why I was so good.† She looked up and the mischievous grin had returned to her face. â€Å"Poor Mother,† she said. â€Å"Yes. Poor Moth er.† â€Å"Are you going back to California?† â€Å"I don’t know. I’ll have to see.† â€Å"What happened to†¦to her? To Vicki?† â€Å"That’s all finished with,† I said. â€Å"There’s nothing much left for me now in California.† â€Å"Do you think I ought to go there?† â€Å"Why not? I don’t know. You’ll probably like it.† I glanced toward the house. â€Å"Perhaps we’d better go in soon. Father might need a hand with the supper.† But my sister was once more peering down into the well. â€Å"I can’t see any ghosts,† she said. Her voice echoed a little. â€Å"Is Father very upset about his firm collapsing?† â€Å"Don’t know. You never can tell with Father.† Then suddenly she straightened up and turned to me. â€Å"Did he tell you about old Watanabe? What he did?† â€Å"I heard he committed suicide.† â€Å"Well, that wasn’t all. He took his whole family with him. His wife and his two little girls.† â€Å"Oh, yes?† â€Å"Those beautiful little girls. He turned on the gas while they were all asleep. Then he cut his stomach with a meat knife.† â€Å"Yes, Father was just telling me how Watanabe was a man of principle.† â€Å"Sick.† My sister turned back to the well. â€Å"I can’t see any ghost,† she said. â€Å"You were lying to me all that time.† ]†But I never said it lived down the well.† â€Å"Where is it then?† We both looked around at the trees and shrubs. The daylight had almost gone. Eventually I pointed to a small clearing some ten yards away. â€Å"Just there I saw it. Just there.† We stared at the spot. â€Å"What did it look like?† â€Å"I couldn’t see very well. It was dark.† â€Å"But you must have seen something.† â€Å"It was an old woman. She was just standing there, watching me.† We kept staring at the spot as if mesmerized. â€Å"She was wearing a white kimono,† I said. â€Å"Some of her hair had come undone. It was blowing around a little.† Kikuko pushed her elbow against my arm. â€Å"Oh, be quiet. You’re trying to frighten me all over again.† She trod on the remains of her cigarette, then for a brief moment stood regarding it with a perplexed expression. She kicked some pine needles over it, then once more displayed her grin. â€Å"Let’s see if supper’s ready,† she said. We found my father in the kitchen. He gave us a quick glance, then carried on with what he was doing. â€Å"Father’s become quite a chef since he’s had to manage on his own,† Kikuko said with a laugh. He turned and looked at my sister coldly. â€Å"Hardly a skill I’m proud of,† he said. â€Å"Kikuko, come here and help.† For some moments my sister did not move then she stepped forward and took an apron hanging from a drawer. â€Å"Just these vegetables need cooking now,† he said to her. â€Å"The rest just needs watching.† Then he looked up and regarded me strangely for some seconds. â€Å"I expect you want to look around the house,† he said eventually. He put down the chopsticks he had been holding. â€Å"It’s a long time since you’ve seen it.† As we left the kitchen I glanced toward Kikuko, but her back was turned. â€Å"She’s a good girl,† my father said. I followed my father from room to room. I had forgotten how large the house was. A panel would slide open and another room would appear. But the rooms were all startlingly empty. In one of the rooms the lights did not come on, and we stared at the stark walls and tatami in the pale light that came from the windows. â€Å"This house is too large for a man to live in alone,† my father said. â€Å"I don’t have much use for most of these rooms now.† But eventually my father opened the door to a room packed full of books and papers. There were flowers in vases and pictures on the walls. Then I noticed something on a low table in the corner of the room. I came nearer and saw it was a plastic model of a battleship, the kind constructed by children. It had been placed on some newspaper; scattered around it were assorted pieces of gray plastic. My father gave a laugh. He came up to the table and picked up the model. â€Å"Since the firm folded,† he said, â€Å"I have a little more time on my hands.† He laughed again, rather strangely. For a moment his face looked almost gentle. â€Å"A little more time.† â€Å"That seems odd,† I said. â€Å"You were always so busy.† â€Å"Too busy, perhaps.† He looked at me with a smile. â€Å"Perhaps I should have been a more attentive father.† I laughed. He went on contemplating his battleship. Then he looked up. â€Å"I hadn’t meant to tell you this, but perhaps it’s best that I do. It’s my belief that your mother’s death was no accident. She had many worries. And some disappointments.† We both gazed at the plastic battleship. â€Å"Surely,† I said eventually, â€Å"my mother didn’t expect me to live here forever.† â€Å"Obviously you don’t see. You don’t see how it is for some parents. Not only must they lose their children, they must lose them to things they don’t understand.† He spun the battleship in his fingers. â€Å"These little gunboats here could have been better glued, don’t you think?† â€Å"Perhaps. I think it looks fine.† â€Å"During the war I spent some time on a ship rather like this: if your ship was struck by the enemy, all you could do was struggle in the water hoping for a lifeline. But in an airplane– well, there was always the final weapon.† He put the model back onto the table. â€Å"I don’t suppose you believe in war.† â€Å"Not particularly.† He cast an eye around the room. â€Å"Supper should be ready by now,† he said. â€Å"You must be hungry.† Supper was waiting in a dimly lit room next to the kitchen. The only source of light was a big lantern that hung over the table, casting the rest of the room in shadow. We bowed to each other before starting the meal. There was little conversation. When I made some polite comment about the food, Kikuko giggled a little. Her earlier nervousness seemed to have returned to her. My father did not speak for several minutes. Finally he said: â€Å"It must feel strange for you, being back in Japan.† â€Å"Yes, it is a little strange.† â€Å"Already, perhaps, you regret leaving America.† â€Å"A little. Not so much. I didn’t leave behind much. Just some empty rooms.† â€Å"I see.† I glanced across the table. My father’s face looked stony and forbidding in the half-light. We ate in silence. Then my eye caught something at the back of the room. At first I continued eating, then my hands became still. The others noticed and looked at me. I went on gazing into the darkness past my father’s shoulder. â€Å"Who is that? In the photograph there?† â€Å"Which photograph?† My father turned slightly, trying to follow my gaze. â€Å"The lowest one. The old woman in the white kimono.† My father put down his chopsticks. He looked first at the photograph, then at me. â€Å"Your mother.† His voice had become very hard. â€Å"Can’t you recognize your own mother?† â€Å"My mother. You see, it’s dark. I can’t see it very well.† No one spoke for a few seconds, then Kikuko rose to her feet. She took the photograph down from the wall, came back to the table, and gave it to me. â€Å"She looks a lot older,† I said. â€Å"It was taken shortly before her death,† said my father. â€Å"It was the dark. I couldn’t see very well.† I looked up and noticed my father holding out a hand. I gave him the photograph. He looked at it intently, then held it toward Kikuko. Obediently, my sister rose to her feet once more and returned the picture to the wall. There was a large pot left unopened at the center of the table. When Kikuko had seated herself again, my father reached forward and lifted the lid. A cloud of steam rose up and curled toward the lantern. He pushed the pot a little toward me. â€Å"You must be hungry,† he said. One side of his face had fallen into shadow. â€Å"Thank you.† I reached forward my chopsticks. The steam was almost scalding. â€Å"What is it?† â€Å"Fish.† â€Å"It smells very good.† In the soup were strips of fish that had curled almost into balls. I picked one out and brought it to my bowl. â€Å"Help yourself. There’s plenty.† â€Å"Thank you.† I took a little more, then pushed the pot toward my father. I watched him take several pieces to his bowl. Then we both watched as Kikuko served herself. My father bowed slightly. â€Å"You must be hungry,† he said again. He took some fish to his mouth and started to eat. Then I, too, chose a piece and put it in my mouth. It felt soft, quite fleshy against my tongue. The three of us ate in silence. Several minutes went by. My father lifted the lid and once more steam rose up. We all reached forward and helped ourselves. â€Å"Here,† I said to my father, â€Å"you have the last piece.† â€Å"Thank you.† When we had finished the meal, my father stretched out his arms and yawned with an air of satisfaction. â€Å"Kikuko,† he said, â€Å"prepare a pot of tea, please.† My sister looked at him, and left the room without comment. My father stood up. â€Å"Let’s retire to the other room. It’s rather warm in here.† I got to my feet and followed him into the tearoom. The large sliding windows had been left open, bringing in a breeze from the garden. For a while we sat in silence. â€Å"Father,† I said, finally. â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"Kikuko tells me Watanabe-san took his whole family with him.† My father lowered his eyes and nodded. For some moments he seemed deep in thought. â€Å"Watanabe was very devoted to his work,† he said at last. â€Å"The collapse of the firm was a great blow to him. I fear it must have weakened his judgment.† â€Å"You think what he did†¦it was a mistake?† â€Å"Why, of course. Do you see it otherwise?† â€Å"No, no. Of course not.† â€Å"There are other things besides work,† my father said. â€Å"Yes.† We fell silent again; the sound of locusts came in from the garden. I looked out into the darkness. The well was no longer visible. â€Å"What do you think you will do now?† my father asked. â€Å"Will you stay in Japan for a while?† â€Å"To be honest, I hadn’t thought that far ahead.† â€Å"If you wish to stay here, I mean here in this house, you would be very welcome; that is, if you don’t mind living with an old man.† â€Å"Thank you. I’ll have to think about it.† I gazed out once more into the darkness. â€Å"But of course,† said my father, â€Å"this house is so dreary now. You’ll no doubt return to America before long.† â€Å"Perhaps. I don’t know yet.† â€Å"No doubt you will.† For some time my father seemed to be studying the back of his hands. Then he looked up and sighed. â€Å"Kikuko is due to complete her studies next spring,† he said. â€Å"Perhaps she will want to come home then. She’s a good girl.† â€Å"Perhaps she will.† â€Å"Things will improve then.† â€Å"Yes, I’m sure they will.† We fell silent once more, waiting for Kikuko to bring the tea.