Busy Little Ants

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Busy Little Ants

In a broad perspective, the entirety of the human race put together is a whole community of busy little ants going about their business. Essentially, everyone has a common purpose: to make a living. This is not to suggest the hourly wage that one makes at his or her 9 to 5 job, but rather it is to address the issue of living the life he or she so chooses despite traditional family values of filial piety and society's expectations of both men and women. Both Milton Murayama's All I Asking for is My Body and Maxine Hong Kingston's Woman Warrior address the concept of individuality through the titles of their works.

As in many cultures, filial piety is one of the most highly esteemed values. Murayama introduces the debatable issue of a child's responsibility to his or her parents as a conflict with his or her intrinsic right to living a life of his or her own. Tosh, the first-born son, is expected to repay the family debt. However, he makes it clear that all he's asking for is his body (48). His body is the one tangible source of individuality that sets him apart from every other busy little ant. Choosing a life for himself as opposed to one that is predestined for him because of his filial duty simply does not sit right with his rebellious nature. As suggested in the title, Tosh merely wants a chance to pave his own path with the one foundation that can establish his individuality.
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Society's expectations and acceptance of both genders play a huge role in an individual's quest to establish his or her own identity and lifestyle. Murayama explains the societal expectations of boys "to act samurai and take it" instead of voicing their opinions and standing up for themselves (47). Of course, boys are held on a pedestal compared to girls. Therefore, it's unheard of for a girl to do anything other than what she is told to do. According to Tosh, "Girls are nothing but expense...They're not going to help the family" (75). This evidently low value of women ...

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