The Kappa Child
by bobbyg
The Kappa Child is a unique book as it contains many symbols and themes which address the construction of identities. As a Sociology major, this book made me think of the social construction of identity and reality. With the Japanese family newly immigrated family from Japan and their struggle with fitting into a new country, while reading I started thinking about the discussion of what culture is brought into Canada and what is left behind. The Kappa Child raises some important questions regarding integration and how within the separate spheres of identity and reality and within this integration individuals can lose a sense of their own identity. The book also allows us to see how our families and friends are situation within our own sphere of reality and fantasy. With this we see light shedding into sexual identities/ orientation and questions the binary associated thinking with sex and gender. Although this is my first time reading a story with Japanese mythological creature – a Kappa, the book does a good job providing realistic confrontations and rejections the mother and daughters face. Spoken from first person, the book manages to capture many themes. One important theme was family and how a family’s role can impact an individual’s sphere of reality and imagination, we see this with the protagonist and overcoming her difficult past. Overall this was an enjoyable read and for the most part a feel good novel. There are many instances in the novel where we can personally relate to and understand. I would say this would be one of my top reads.
Hi Bobby,
Certainly, the book can be closely tied with sociology, and I think that being a sociology major gives you a unique perspective of the book. Culture and Canada is a very interesting component that is discussed by many academics. I think this books gives a strong look at culture in relation to people immigrating to Canada. It brings up important points about identity in Canada. There really is not identity in Canada, and I think this is one of the most important components of being Canadian. We live in such a diverse culture that the lines between one cultural heritage and the next is quite blurred. However, I think we are in our infancy when it comes to multiculturalism in Canada. There seems to be an emphasis on catering to each demographic according to their needs. However, there is not much in relation to forgetting about those cultural qualities and allowing ourselves to simply dissolve as one culture. Perhaps this type of idea has been covered in one of your sociology courses.
Thanks,
Kathy