The short stories “Mericans” by Sandra Cisneros and “In Response to Executive Order 9066: All Americans of Japanese Descent Must Report to Relocation Centers” by Dwight Okita develop a common theme of cultural differences. Specifically, the differences experienced between the American culture and the home cultures of the protagonists. The unnamed protagonist of Okita’s story is a Japanese-American girl being taken to a relocation camp during World War II. “Mericans” focuses on Micaela or Michele, a Hispanic girl interacting with Americans, but it is not specified whether the story takes place in the U.S. or a different country.
Both authors use a first-person point of view; however, whereas Michelle narrates her story directly, the Japanese girl’s story is presented as an epistolary poem. In a single letter she answers, presumably to the U.S. Government issuing the eponymous order. In both cases, this technique allows the reader to better understand the protagonist’s concerns and the issues they face because of their position.
Okita highlights the absurdity of essentially accusing children of hostile military action, as well as their limited comprehension of the gravity of the situation. Through the use of a first-person narration, Cisneros brings attention to issues caused by generational cultural differences and possibly differences caused by immigration. The children are forbidden to both enter both the church and explore their surroundings, representing their home culture and the American culture, respectively. However, they fully identify themselves as “Mericans”, pointing to them preferring integration over honoring their original culture.
Cisneros uses bilingualism to further highlight the cultural differences experienced by Michele. Her narration is mostly in English, but uses Spanish words for things related to her home culture. Even her name is presented as both Michele and Micaela, its English and Spanish variants, to illustrate her status as someone caught between two cultures. Importantly, it is the “awful grandmother” who calls her by the Spanish name, while her brother calls her Michele. Even the Americans try to address the children in Spanish, discriminating them as outsiders.
The children’s identification as “Mericans”, their grandmother as “the awful grandmother”, and their use of English, show that they view themselves as belonging to the American culture. Okita’s use of English as the only language in the poem emphasizes that the protagonist views herself as an American rather than a Japanese person.
Both authors use symbolism in their works, Cisneros to represent the different cultures and values, and Okita to represent the protagonist’s relationship to her friend Denise, as well as America’ treatment of Japanese immigrants. In “Mericans”, the church and the “awful grandmother” represent the children’s home culture and their disdain for them shows their separation from it. All the activities they are forbidden from doing outside the church represent the American culture in which they find themselves and their desire to interact and integrate with it despite the grandmother’s orders. In Okita’s work, Denise calls tomatoes “love apples”, and the protagonist sees packing tomato seeds as important.
Even after denise turns her back on her, she still offers her a packet of the seeds, extending her goodwill. Similarly, the relationship between the two girls symbolizes the treatment of Japanese immigrants by the U.S. during World War II. Denise accuses the protagonist of being an enemy and mistreats her despite having no reason to suspect her of any actual hostility.
Both stories discuss the theme of cultural clash, using similar literary devices and techniques to achieve similar goals, but they differ in the use of these techniques. The authors use first-person point of view to give the reader a better understanding of their protagonists. Using a language other than English, or not using it, shows the stories protagonists’ stances on their position between two cultures. Finally, symbolism features heavily in both narratives, connecting seemingly small and personal stories to broader concepts.