12/5/23

Temporal Awareness in Laia Jufresa’s Umami

After finishing Umami, I was not sure if I should examine it through a primarily spacial or temporal view, as both are incredibly important to understanding the ideas that Laia Jufresa incorporates within her work. Ultimately I took a cue from the way that Jufresa herself organizes the novel, with the chapters and sections of the book representing phases and years, so I believe that there is a greater empahsise on time and temporality within the novel, but I also believe that physical space plays an important role within the work as well. Even within individual pages, it is shown how the lives of the characters are shaped by events, no matter how small, with no exact date given, other than an approximate idea of what year that they take place in. Events such as small conversations about life, and meanial tasks such as chores, doctor’s visits or cigarette breaks, are treated with the same immense respect that is shown for the more important events that shape the characters lives. Other events, which in other novels would be treated with greater importance, such as heart illness, cancer, hepatitis etc. are merely small footnotes for describing the lives of the family members, who recall small gatherings, birthdays and graduations with more importance.

There is also a distinct correlation that is shown with Jufresa’s novel, between the passing of the years/seasons, death, life milestones, with the growing of the milpa and the coming of the Emperor Umami. Luz is shown as having a significant impact on the remaining character, even years after her passing, because of the memories and recollections that each character associate with her, such as the construction and growing of the corn, beans and squash within the milpa. Luz and Emperor Umami, could be seen as existing outside the perception of linear time, and I believe that the format of the book clearly demonstrates this understanding of non-linear time.

12/5/23

Family of origin

I’m not sure if  “family of origin”  has been discussed broadly in Canada, or in Western World. It is one of the most hotly discussed topics in recent years in China. It focuses on Generation Z’s childhood experiences and their family components, usually relating to the shadows and sufferings of childhood. The most common sufferings are inequality in genders like boy preferences, alcoholic fathers, left behind children, and the strong desire to control their children.

Though Umami is not a book that mainly focuses on the family, I would like to say the family of origin impacted on characters a lot. In Ana’s section, we all know the tipping point in her family is Luz’s death. How the family treats the death is important for the formation of a world view, to another child. Ana is the other child. Unfortunately, her mother never seems to be able to get over the death of her little daughter. The “almost six” mentioned many times in the article states the pain of the whole family. In the third year of the “anniversary”, Anna’s mother still refused to step out of the house and still did not accept this fact. In opposite, her father cares for Ana more. On the way to the cemetery, he let out a low whimper. Clearly, all members of the family are lamentable, but how to express their feelings is more important because life needs to be continued. The difference in personality between Ana’s dad and mom invisibly formed her personality, an irritable, emotionally unstable little girl.

“But the name has an electric effect on her” A Sensitive person may fall into sadness again by a sentence, or a single word. Our family hasn’t experienced this in Ana’s family, but the feelings of a person can go up and down immediately like a rollercoaster. My mom is not a good driver, she had car accidents once or twice a year back in 2015-2018. Every time she was so mad at herself, but she still needed to show a good face to her director during work time. That’s why she was overwhelmed after work and tended to express her unpleasant feelings to her family members. Sometimes “careful” would be a forbidden word because it could be interpreted as “scold the locust while pointing at the mulberry”, it is Chinese slang (that says scolding another person but actually those words are said to you), though I was just warning her to be aware of hot plates in cooking, no other meanings. Later on, my mom found out my problem when speaking with my grandparents, sometimes I speak with them impatiently. And my mom knows that’s a “family problem”, we are used to showing a more polite attitude with strangers but lost courtesy at home. That is the influence of the family, a power you cannot ignore, a power that shapes your personality and ways of handling tasks.

Last week my mom called me and said she had her first car accident after 2021, but I could feel she’s more calm this time. Perhaps it is because this time she just hit the railing, not other cars. I said, “It is a great improvement, and you don’t need to quarrel with other people and insurance”. She replied to me happily and said “It sounds way much better than what your aunt said, she told me it is still my fault, cannot blame anyone else.” Well it is true, but we all like to hear more soft words. She was no longer as sensitive as before, and I was able to talk to her politely and comfort her properly, even though it was midnight on a Saturday in Vancouver and I was in a noisy restaurant with my friends.

Time will witness and heal everything.

 

12/5/23

Exploring Connections in “The Mesoamerican Diaspora: Umami” by Laia Jufresa

In the latest chapters (pp. 151-273) of Laia Jufresa’s book “The Mesoamerican Diaspora: Umami,” the story weaves together themes that relate to our lives today. The storytelling techniques in these chapters are captivating. Different voices blend together, creating a rich narrative. Concepts like umami and the milpa symbolize emotions and cultural connections that go beyond the story.Alfonso’s fascination with umami is more than just enjoying a flavor—it reflects how tastes connect with our memories and emotions in our lives now. Just as umami is significant to Alfonso, flavors and memories hold importance for us too.The novel’s themes about heritage and change are relevant today. It shows how preserving traditions in a changing world is vital. It also touches on environmental issues like smog and water scarcity, echoing concerns we face today. As I read, it’s a reminder of how our connections to flavors and cultural heritage are intertwined with our daily experiences. “The Mesoamerican Diaspora: Umami” prompts me to think about the importance of food, traditions, and environmental challenges in our lives today. It’s a mirror reflecting how past stories connect with our present-day complexities.