Final Thoughts on Reshaping Identities

While reading the conclusion of Artists of the Floating World by Rob Burton a single sentence really seemed to jump out at me, “Firstly, to be a citizen of the floating world is to recognize and acknowledge the narratives that constitute our identity; furthermore, it is understood that these narratives are constantly in the process of being reshaped and rewritten” (pg. 131).

Throughout my blogs I have written extensively about my Autistic brother Jake, this blog will be no exception.  Jake has been an inspiration and hero in life, he has had the biggest impact on me and has largely shaped the identity I claim as my own. Jake forces you to re-evaluate your priorities and has taught me a great deal of patience and has given me a great deal of understanding regarding other people. I think Jake has given me a better outlook on life and has truly shown me the way people can impact and change your life.

There were two books that I read this semester that I think show the value other people have on shaping and re-shaping lives. In the book A Question of Power by Bessie Head, the main character, Elizabeth, is mentally ill and is constantly plagued with fictional characters that torture and torment her. Many people dismiss Elizabeth has simply being crazy but upon closer examination we see that there is much more to her than that. I know this sounds cliché but Elizabeth is a real person with a real identity and like any other person is shaped by the people (fictitious or real) in her life. Elizabeth is isolated from society for a period of time and only has the characters she has created in her mind to shape her. This of course has a negative impact on her but once she allows real people into her life such as Kenosi and Tom she is able to shape her identity in a positive way.

In the book Jasmine by Bharati Mukherjee, the main character Jasmine is constantly reshaping and rewriting her identity with each new character that is introduced. Jasmine not allow reshapes who she is, she completely changes her lifestyle and even her names with each new identity. Jasmine has excepted the fact that she has changed identities and I think understands the roles people have played in her life that have made her choose those identities, “I have had a husband for each of the women I have been. Prakash for Jasmine, Taylor for Jase, Bud for Jane. Half-Face for Kali” (pg. 197). I think the fact that Jasmine is able to accept the fact that other people have had a significant impact on her life says a lot.

 I think a lot of times people think they are one personality type and there is no changing that for anyone. I give Jasmine credit for allowing other people to impact her in such a way, “I know what I don’t want to become” (pg. 5). Jasmine wants to find an identity that she is happy with and that fact that she lets other people help her shape that identity shows a lot.

I think to be a citizen of the floating world it is important to understand the roles other people have on your life. Everyone is different and everyone will have a different impact on your life, significant or not, that will shape some part of your identity. I think it is also important that everyone deserves a second glance and truly being able to embrace people for different backgrounds, cultures, or even mental illnesses will truly help you become an artist of the floating world. After all we are all trying to make it in our day to day lives, I think it is time to step back and appreciate people’s identities for what they are and understand that you may have a role in shaping/reshaping that identity.