Clash of Cultures: East vs. West
A consistent theme in the novel is the clashing of the traditions and "eastern" mindset of the Japanese and the perceived modernity of and novelty of the "western" mindset of the Americans and the paradoxical results from embracing these ideals. This can be seen in the dynamics of John and Akiko Ueno. John blames Akiko's inability to have children on the Japanese diet, which is rich in vegetables and fish, and thinks that if she consumed more meat, like the American housewives they featured, that she would gain weight and begin to resemble the full-figured, fecund Texan women that he lusted after and eventually enable her to bear children. Ironically the reverse is achieved as Akiko is sickened by the meat consumption, causing her to vomit after every meal, causing her to loose more weight and eventually halt her menses altogether. Later on in the novel it is also revealed that the beef that they are promoting are so full of synthetic hormones that it actually causes reproductive irregularities in people who regularly consume Beef-Ex products.
Cultural Perceptions of Sex, Gender Roles and Motherhood
These themes are played out of the relationships of both Jane and Akiko with their respective struggles with their miscarriages, surprising pregnancies and contrasting attitudes towards sex. John Ueno's frustration and anger towards his wife stems from her inability to bear him children which ultimately stems from his fears of how he will be perceived as a man. He feels greatly pressured to prove his virility as it is considered odd if Akiko did not become pregnant shortly after getting married. Akiko responds to his abuse in a meek, submissive manner as this is what she is expected to do. Jane also experiences marital grief associated with her difficulty in conceiving in her first marriage, eventually resulting in her divorce. In contrast to the subservient Akiko, Jane engages in passionate, casual sex with Sloan. There is also a strong contrast between the two characters when they are finally and unexpectedly able to conceive. The Sloane and Jane's baby actually becomes a catalyst in forging a mature and mutually caring relationship between them, whereas John and Akiko's child comes as a result of a a violent beating and an equally violent rape. The presence of their baby becomes part of the impetus that finally pushes Akiko to leave her abusive husband.
Trust and Betrayal
Throughout the novel the theme of trust and betrayal of that trust are found in several characters and situations. Jane pitches a show featuring "typical all-American families" to the network and they come to expect white Anglo-Saxon protestant families gleefully devouring red meat. Instead they get shown "the real America" that is to say culturally and ethnically diverse, and not a nation of beef-eaters. The betrayal of trust is also prevalent in John and Akiko's marriage. John frequents strip clubs as he finds himself more sexually stimulated by buxom American women. The biggest betrayal of trust however is that of Beef-Ex and the American public. The company is genuinely unconcerned by the harm that their tainted meat can cause. Moreover, despite knowing the harm it can cause they continue to promote their products and even push for increased consumption abroad.
