In her book The Buddha in the Attic , one of Julia Otsuka’s themes is the pursuit of the American dream. In the book, women exude belief in their journey to America. Despite the hostile conditions, they are positive about the future life that awaits them in America. Through such descriptions as the “ pretty houses and the bolts of silk, ” Otsuka captures some of the aspirations of the women and their perception of America. The women believe that their life will be better in America. Their perception is that there is plenty of food and the American women do not work in the fields.
The author also addresses the theme of loss of identity. For instance, it is evident that their loss of identity begins the moment the Japanese women meet their husbands. As portrayed in the novel, the loss of identity emanates from the need for the women to adapt to the American way of life. Consequently, it is clear that the loss of identity has a significant impact on the Japanese women and their beliefs. The women have to undertake roles that in their culture were reserved for men. The shift in the responsibility of the women is a thematic facet of the book that is presented through a descriptive approach. This way, the author presents the reader with comprehensive information on the cultural changes.
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Further, the author brings out the theme of regrets. Based on an analysis of the story, some of the women exude regrets. As a recurring theme, the author develops the aspect through conversations that take place between the women. Some of the women make a “ solemn promise never to talk about their past ” once they alight from the boat. Further, in the instance that the women alight to meet their husbands, they are shocked to see that the men are not whom they expected. A majority of the women regret and accept their fate. As such, the debate among the women is related to their destiny. Further, they deliberate on whether or not it was better to live in their home country as opposed to chasing the American dream.
