What is the meaning of the title?
To me the meaning of the title is living life the way you want to. As Tosh stated twice in the book talking about how Kiyoshi and he will have to work until the debt is gone. Again Tosh stated that the debt could take about twenty years or more. The significant part about wanting their bodies’ was to box and the work they had to do in order to get the money was hard on their body. Not only was the work hard on their bodies the only food they could get did not work with their workouts and training, something I know much about.
Something great about part III was Tosh becoming a boxer and complaining with Kiyoshi following not too far behind. The both started to become great boxers and get better jobs at the plantation but would still take much time to finish debt. The way Tosh saw the debt going away was the boxing fights and become champ, in turn he needed his body at top shape. Again with Kiyoshi following Tosh’s footsteps becoming a boxer and later on champ. In the end “all I asking for is my body” is the way Tosh and Kiyoshi saw as the best and fastest way out of debt with boxing.
I agree with what the title means, a sense of freedom. And to be able to make their own desicions in their life instead of live like slaves for their parents pretty much, they're not even asking for much just their childhood. Also about the boxing you did a good job explaining that, how because of the work they had to do now maybe was getting them ready for doing what they wanted to do in the future and also building their bodies up for the fighting. I never thought about that one before, thanks.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteEven throughout all the turmoil, Tosh and Kiyoshi were determined to train as boxers and work on the plantation. They looked to boxing as a hope to become champs so that they could pay off the debt and became free. Yet Kiyoshi saved them both. I guess his mother was right that if Tosh would be a filial son that they would depend on Kiyoshi.
Thanks for sharing,
Mandy Ericson
I also agree with Mandy. I think that they were training and trying to better themselves as a boxer to hope that it would get them out of poverty and let them be debt free.. I think that they were constantly fighting because they were trying to become independent from their parents while still trying to please them. Good insights
ReplyDelete-Callie
Even in my own culture we have the system of filial duty. We are liable of paying the debt own by our parents. Most of the children work in order to pay the debt but in time it becomes the burden which will take away our ambition and youth. I feel that filial piety is kind of complicated subject, if you don’t carry it, you will be regarded as the son who betray and disobey their parents. But if you carry the duty it is a big burden and will take away your most important part of life.
ReplyDeleteLiving life freely is something that Tosh wanted the ability to accomplish unfortunately he might have never been able to. It was kind of sad that Kiyoshi became something that Tosh was trying to help him from coming. Kiyoshi be came a gambler and a cheat, he did what ever it took for him to get out of his parents debt and obligations. I kept waiting to heart that Tosh became this great boxer or went back to school despite everything, but it seemed to end before we got any happy ending. I guess that’s really life. I just would have like to hear that in the end they boys found some sort of happiness and they have changed their future families obligations.
ReplyDeleteHi Haruki,
ReplyDeletethat is a great example of the meaning of the title. both tosh and Kiyoshi had to take care of the families debt so they seeked for something better to help pay the debts. For them making decisions and doing what they wanted to do will give them more future freedom from those debts so they can finally have a life.
Great interpretation I had never thought of it like that before. Maybe they felt freedom when they were boxing. I also think it was talking about was a free spirit as well because I got the feeling that they were quite superstitious. I also think they wanted to hit it big with boxing and they might of been great but they had high hopes.
ReplyDeleteHello, I agree with what you wrote about the title. It is about living the life you want. Tosh wanted his own life, he wanted to not be controlled by his parents anymore. He wanted to be free from his parents and their family debt. Tosh was a stressed son, he had a lot of pressure on him, he only wanted to be free, and live his life freely! You mentioned what the title means and made me understand more. Your writing gave me more to think about.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lesley