"Response to Executive Order 9066" by Dwight Okita and "Mericans" by Sandra Cisneros are two thought-provoking literary works that delve into the common theme of injustice and identity. Through the use of various literary devices and techniques, both authors effectively develop this theme, albeit in distinct ways. While Okita emphasizes the emotional impact of forced relocation and its consequences on Japanese Americans during World War II, Cisneros explores the theme of cultural assimilation and its effect on the protagonist's self-identity. This essay will compare and contrast the development of the theme in each work, highlighting the specific literary devices and techniques employed by the authors. In "Response to Executive Order 9066," Okita skillfully employs imagery and symbolism to convey the theme of injustice and its impact on individuals. The author describes the protagonist's "desks in neat rows" being left behind, symbolizing the disruption and loss caused by the forced relocation of Japanese Americans. The use of vivid imagery, such as "long dark train ride" and "barbed wire," evokes a sense of confinement, further emphasizing the unjust treatment endured by the …show more content…
The author employs a distinctive narrative style, using fragmented sentences and unconventional punctuation, to mirror the protagonist's struggle to establish her own identity within a dominant culture. The repetition of the phrase "I am an American" throughout the story reinforces the internal conflict experienced by the protagonist, torn between her Mexican heritage and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. Cisneros's use of stream-of-consciousness writing allows readers to intimately experience the character's emotions and underscores the theme of injustice as it relates to the suppression of one's cultural