Inanimate Parental Figures: The Resonance of Mikage's Surroundings Anonymous 9th Grade

Inanimate objects often possess more value to individuals than what may appear at a mere glance, and some of these objects holding sentimental value often provide individuals with a positive feeling when associating with these objects. In Kitchen, the kitchens act similar to the missing parental figures in Mikage’s life, which ultimately prevents her from slipping into a state of despair. The three key traits, joy, comfort, and security, that parental figures provide are instead conveyed to Mikage through the direct result of her association with the kitchens in this novel crafted by Banana Yoshimoto.

Every child needs the joy that is granted to them by the love they get from others, especially a family member. Mikage, in need of this parental figure having both her parents and grandparents deceased, finds joy within the kitchen. While dreaming, for example, Mikage returns happy from her defected state believing she will have “countless ones (kitchen)” (43) someday as she drifts off to sleep. One can easily infer that as she lies supine as night sets in, the kitchen she dreams of brings joy to her gloom providing her with the missing happiness that a parent would provide if present in her life. Continuing, the kitchen once...