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... In such times, finding comfort in objects such as kitchen, plants, and food is actually very beneficial since these elements often provide the emotional strength that is required because they are inanimate: they can only listen and accept non-judgementally. ... In her short novel ¡°Kitchen¡±, Banana Yoshimoto deliciously describes through images reflecting the emotional struggles of Mikage, Yuichi, and Eriko. ... Mikage¡¯s refuge from the world during tragic moments is always a kitchen. When her grandmother passes away, she finds comfort in the Tanabes¡¯ Kitchen: ¡°It was a good kitchen. ... Thus, it is clear that she needs a kitchen that fits her emotional needs since she is overcome with grief because of her grandmother¡¯s death. Later on, it becomes clearer that kitchens are essential for Mikage in her present state: ¡°But I trusted their kitchen. ... In this quotation, the word ¡°trusted¡± (14) is crucial since it proves that whether she seems uncomfortable or not with the Tanabes¡¯ behaviour, she implicitly implies that she trusts them via the security that their kitchen represents. As for metaphors pf kitchens ass related to emotional needs, kitchens are a way for Yuichi to connect with Mikage on a very personal level as Mikage says: ¡°It was so much fun, hearing our voices in the silent kitchen in the middle of the night¡± (38). ... The term ¡°our voices¡± (38) clearly indicates that Mikage feels she is not alone, that Yuichi is with her on a personal level since in the scene where the quotation was taken from, Yuichi and Mikage share a dream where they spend time together in Mikage¡¯s old kitchen. ... in the silent kitchen in the middle of the night¡± (38) is an implicit way of Mikage to share her isolation with Yuichi. The ¡°silent kitchen¡± (38) represents Mikage who rarely talks about her grandmother¡¯s death explicitly. ...
Banana Yoshimoto¡¯s great novella explains with great precision and beauty through metaphors the love that people can find in different objects present in their lives during difficult situations and how those things can represents a tiny hope in the midst of despair.
Approximate Word count = 1955
Approximate Pages = 7.8
(250 words per page double spaced)
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