In Otsuku's novel, "When The Emperor was Divine," there is an evident struggle of identity for the young boy character. Like his ancestors, he wishes to remain small framed so that he may jockey a horse someday. His peers advise him to "become a big American" however, because that would lead to "success." The boy from here on internalizes the issue of conflict between the cultures of his Japanese heritage and his new home.
Otsuku helps to illuminate this as the boy dreams in the stable and dreams of riding a white horse. The color of the horse is especially significant, as one would unfortunately think of the white male as the typical and average American. The boy has mixed symbols of both worlds in his dream, further uncovering the extent to how indecisive the boy is.
Assimilation has been a hardship that has always walked hand-in-hand with immigration. I recall my great-grandfather, Damiano Anthony Fabrizi telling me of his travel to Ellis Island and the "new" name he was given when his ship landed, Anthony Damiano Fabrizi, because it was more American. Unlike the boy, my great grandfather had no struggle and accepted his new future, much as the peers of the boy do. For the boy however, he has the depth to put more thought into the battle and hopes for an outcome he can comfortably live with.
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