In Modern day Confucian society, gender roles revolve around their cultural society where someone’s identity is a part of their group’s identity. In the 19th and 20th centuries the traditional role of women gave emphasis to the deep rooted nature of inequality in the gender roles and relationships in Japan. Gender roles are defined by culture more than physical differences between men and women.(Kincade.,2013) Seventeen Syllables illustrated through the relationship between the mother, “Tome,” and daughter “Rosie Hayashi,” each dealing with personal affairs which influenced their perspective of family life also separated by a language barrier. Traditional roles of Japanese Women are defined by getting to know their habits, social structure and traditions.
One common experience felt by women who defined themselves as housewives and mothers is an unmet sense of longing for something more and desire to gain satisfaction outside of the home. A typical means of achieving such satisfaction may include pursuing self-interests which do not inhibit a woman’s identity to that of the accomplishments of her husband and children, thus establishing the woman as her own person. Rosie’s mother …show more content…
In such a society, women struggle to become something other than the usual roles of wife and mother, are placed into conflict with that particular society. Rosie’s mother’s last appeal show’s how much she has suffered in her life because of the traditional roles placed on her. As the story comes to a close, Rosie’s mother Tome plea, “Promise me you will never marry!” (Yamamoto 19) says it all. The scene shows the desperation and anger of the mother, and the depth of the urgency of the situation as she struggles to ensure her daughter will lead a better life: “She tried to pull free. ‘Promise, her mother whispered fiercely, promise.' 'Yes, yes, I promise, Rosie said.'” (Yamamoto
One common experience felt by women who defined themselves as housewives and mothers is an unmet sense of longing for something more and desire to gain satisfaction outside of the home. A typical means of achieving such satisfaction may include pursuing self-interests which do not inhibit a woman’s identity to that of the accomplishments of her husband and children, thus establishing the woman as her own person. Rosie’s mother …show more content…
In such a society, women struggle to become something other than the usual roles of wife and mother, are placed into conflict with that particular society. Rosie’s mother’s last appeal show’s how much she has suffered in her life because of the traditional roles placed on her. As the story comes to a close, Rosie’s mother Tome plea, “Promise me you will never marry!” (Yamamoto 19) says it all. The scene shows the desperation and anger of the mother, and the depth of the urgency of the situation as she struggles to ensure her daughter will lead a better life: “She tried to pull free. ‘Promise, her mother whispered fiercely, promise.' 'Yes, yes, I promise, Rosie said.'” (Yamamoto