Cultural Identity and Belonging in Transnational Literature: An Analysis of Kelts and Mengestu
Overview
This essay examines how authors navigating multiple cultural contexts struggle with questions of belonging and identity. Through analysis of Roland Kelts' Japanamerica and Dinaw Mengestu's Home At Last, the paper argues that individuals cannot force themselves into cultures they do not authentically understand, using food, language, and childhood experience as markers of cultural connection.
What this essay covers
- Introduction establishing the theme of cultural displacement and identity in transnational literature
- Seven analytical questions addressing Kelts' experiences learning new cultures, his linguistic and culinary connections to Japan versus America, and his teenage alienation
- Discussion of how food items like umami and burgers function as cultural identifiers and markers of belonging
Preview
Literature and Language
Student’s Name
Institution
Articles
This work looks at an article called Japanmerica written by Rolands Kelts about pop culture in the United States (Kelts, 2006). The other article that is being highlighted is that by Dinaw Mengestu, Home At Last. These articles talk of authors who have been born at different places lived elsewhere, but they do not seem to fit within the cultures that they get. It is, therefore, evident that one can never force themselves to belong to a culture that they seem not to understand.
Question one
By Kelts beginning with the phrase ‘Be always beginning’ it implies that he had to start all over learning a new culture after getting to a new place. For instance, he had learned some Japanese, but when he moved to the US, he had to learn a new culture. It means that it was starting all over again in his entire life.
Question Two
Kelts feels that he does not belong to American or Japanese heritage. First, it is because he cannot get to use the Japanese language in America as no one cares. Second, Umami is not well prepared in the US, and for that reason, he feels as if he does not belong to any of the heritages (Kelts, 2006).
Question Three
Kelts realizes his deep affinity with Japan when he gets to love Umami. He finds it well prepared in Japan. All over the country, it is a staple food that makes him feel connected to Japanese culture.