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The Chessmen By Toshio Mori

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“The Chessmen” by Toshio Mori is a short story that explores the competition for job retention at Hatayama’s nursery between the story’s two main characters, Nakagawa and George Murai. Through Nakagawa and George’s relationship, Mori builds tension between older and younger generations through a struggle for job security and recognition. Nakagawa is dedicated to his job and truly believes in preserving the nursery in his community, regardless of his physical health. On the other hand, George is young and hungry for recognition in his career. At the end of the story, Nakagawa loses his job to George. “The Chessmen” captures the complexities of cultural tensions within the Japanese community in the early 20th century, while also shedding light on the differing social values between older and younger generations. Mori offers insight into the struggles and aspirations of Japanese Americans and their children during a critical point in world history. Ronald Takaki observed that the Japanese community in California experienced significant demographic changes preceding World War 2. The first generation of Japanese immigrants, or the Issei, gave way to the Nisei, or the American-born second generation. The Nisei population …show more content…

The contrast between traditional Japanese values and new Western values clash. “In the morning Nakagawa-san had stuck grimly to the work. At noon when he sat down for lunch he couldn’t get up afterwards. He had to be carried to the little shack. Mrs. Hatayama applied a new plaster to his back” (Mori 105). When Nakagawa’s age starts to hinder his performance, he recognizes and understands the need for George, and other Niseis, to take on more prominent roles in society. His sacrifice mirrors Issei’s values as he truly commits to his community’s welfare and preserves his role in the Japanese

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