finale TATTOO

The finale of “The Tattoo” was pretty intense. Just when I thought this is going to be the part of the book that leads to the fairy tale ending, I was wrong. Koa and Kahala were back in Claude and Ken’s life. Their story about marital abuse and violence is a sad but common one. Rothenberg writes that physical abuse within and intimate relationship is between 16%-52% Rothenberg pg.280). This is a high number especially when it is also said that this number increasing. It’s sad to think that some women believe that they deserve these types of beatings whether it’s in a modern or third world country. Koa tried to drown Kahala and even explained to Ken that he would’ve killed the kids too if it wasn’t for his child screaming for him to stop. It’s possible for Koa to have been feeling the tension of conflict due to the fact that he lost his job and the constant bickering that his wife was doing (Rothenberg pg. 286) but with Kahala not having any money and two young children, it was difficult for her to leave. He succeeded with the psychological and mental abuse by undermining her (Rothenberg pg. 281). That’s probably why she first described herself as hideous and unrecognizable to Ken when they spoke after a five year stint. When it came to the night of their child’s birthday party, Koa threatened to kill Kahala if she left with the kids. Tragically Kahala was shot along with Koa’s dead body in the car.
Although there were many racist gestures in the beginning of the book, towards the ending, there were a lot of conflict between Claudia and Ken’s father. From Ken’s father calling Claudia a “yobo” to her retaliating back calling him a “jap;” every time Claudia did something wrong like burning her food or not tightening a faucet enough, Ken’s father would pull the Korean card. When things were messy such as newspaper being scattered, he would flip it and then use the Haole card (McKinney pg. 196). Ken’s father even brought up ethnic and class consciousness by telling Claudia how much more superior Japan is then Korea (McKinney pg. 198, Parillo pg. 59). The history between Korea and Japan was eminent in this chapter (Parillo pg. 159). Japanese and Koreans did not get along with each other and that tension was well showcased between Claudia and Ken’s father. There was also an issue of stereotype and racism when Ken, Claudia, Kahala, and Cheryl went to dinner (Parillo pg. 94). When Claudia mentioned that she went to Punahou School, “Snob, and rich haole central,”Cheryl replied back“poor child (McKinney pg. 186-187). That stereotype of Punahou still exists today.
It was easy to see that even after many years has passed and no matter how long or far away Ken was to his father, his father remained the same man. He was still a “hard ass” and still had a lot of hate in him. In the beginning of Claudia and Ken’s move to his house, he seemed somewhat decent and welcomed Claudia with open arms. But his true self surely turned up and it was getting hard for Claudia to stay in his presence. Ken’s father was harsh ever since Ken was little. But when Claudia and him got into an argument and Ken followed her to the room, his father yelled, “I neva teach you fo b one whipped boy (McKinney 198).” It’s very well known that in Asian countries, men were and maybe still is more superior to women. Gender roles still exist. When Ken’s father hurt Claudia towards the end of the book, it could be because he felt powerless and the traditional gender role was being downsized (Rothenberg pg. 286). But Ken didn’t want to be like his father and defended Claudia and their unborn child.
The book finishes with the last visit between Ken, Claudia, and their son Christian. Although Ken was in prison for man slaughter and should’ve been freed awhile ago, it seems like he decided to stay in there for his sake. Claudia mentioned that instead of hiring a lawyer he stuck with a public defendant and when Claudia mentioned that he shouldn’t be in jail, he replied back “…he should (McKinney pg. 225). Claudia was finally fulfilling her dream of going to the mainland and continuing her education in art studies. Ken mentioned that he didn’t want his son to know about him but Claudia wasn’t having that. Ken showed a new tattoo that read “The Book of the Void (McKinney pg. 224). This tattoo meant that the “lineage” of the Hideyoshi family ended with Ken. He didn’t want his son to grow up with hate and pride like the past generations did. Ken was being unselfish by letting go of Claudia and their son; he wanted Christian to have a better life. Ken might have done this unconsciously but he helped decide his son’s fate.
I enjoyed this book very much. It really did show the side of Hawaii that is rarely seen or even known. “God’s Country” is still used to describe Hawaii now. Race is still used to describe and differentiate people in Hawaii now. Koreamoku still exists and the stereotypes still live on. Although to outsiders Hawaii seems like paradise, but just like any other place we have our share of problems. Many people say we live in a time capsule because things change so slowly here. But, I have a special place for Hawaii because this is my home.