Claire Kageyama Mama Analysis

The poem “Mama” by Claire Kageyama introduces the reader to the life of a Japanese immigrant who immediately becomes a wife upon her arrival to America. The poem goes through the stages of her life as wife, mother and grandmother. The poem is told from the perspective of the “rice child”, (the youngest grandchild in the extended family). The “rice child” shares with the reader the many stereotypes the world has about families from different culture. “I followed her/ to Save & Save/ where we picked up/ packages of rice tea” (Kageyama 20-23). Claire Kageyama uses the grandchild’s perspective to show the reader how such women, Japanese immigrants, are viewed and treated. Such immigrants came to the United States after the immigration laws were passed in 1965 to have a new life. This life however was often one of …show more content…
Kageyama specifically exposes the reader to the life of a Japanese immigrant and the family she creates with an American man and the hardships under which they live. Right from the beginning of the poem, the speaker tells us that being from a different culture is very difficult as one has to overcome stereotypes that others’ have. In the following quote: “She serves nishi me /on paper plates/ and picks caterpillars/ off cherry tomatoes” (Kageyama 3-6). Kageyama uses the Japanese words “nishi me”, which is a Japanese dish, By giving examples of the food they eat, the reader sees that Mama raises her family as if she were still in Japan, eating the foods she grew up with. This does not however help to make the family feel they are now American and that they belong. This may, in fact, make their sense of being outsiders stronger as they are not embracing the new cultural ways, such as the American foods. The mother of the family does all of the work, buying the food, making the meals and serving the meals to the family and then clearing their dishes