Blus Hanging by Lois-Ann Yamanaka Essay - 1678 Words

Blus Hanging by Lois-Ann Yamanaka Blus Hanging by Lois-Ann Yamanaka tells a sad and realistic story of the Ogata family. With the absence of a mother and an uncaring father, the three children, Ivah, Blu, and Maisie, face insurmountable obstacles. Furthermore, various outside forces, such as sexual violence, poverty, and racism, make it even harder for them to cope with the harsh society. In spite of these hardships, it is the mothers invisible presence that keeps the three children together and guides them, although it also contributes to the unintended indifference of father, and the childrens vulnerability of societal attacks. Eleanor, the mother, is often presented in the story even though she is dead, in terms of†¦show more content†¦Every day of my life (169). The presence of mother has a negative effect on Poppy and his relationship with the children. After the mothers death, Poppy is unable to go on with his life, but instead faces a downfall. The great affection that he had for her keeps him away from admitting the reality, and makes him to live in the past; he admits that he walks every day of my fuckin life with her tie to my back, so heavy on me ... but I no can cut the rope (141). Ivah explains his ineffective life, describing Poppy drinking thick yellow tea, staring at the TV, and falling asleep curled up in the orange chair (171) everyday. He is unable to take care of children because of his responsibility for financial burdens, and unintentionally treats them badly as he becomes guilty of not being able to look after his kids; Ivah questions him Why you gotta make things so hard, Poppy? ... You neva use to make so mean to us. (107). He expresses his concerns for the children indirectly, and in a mean way, telling Blu I no l ike you be one fat shit (105), and Maisie to eat everything on your plate (105) or that he will give her food to the starving dogs. These expressions of Poppy to his kids sound cruel and uncaring, but they are coming from his concern for Blu and Maisies health. Even though his love for the children is as great as any other fathers love towards their children, he is unable to express it as he faces the hardship of getting over Eleanor. Lack of