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Analysis Of Kitchen By Banana Yoshimoto

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In the novel, “Kitchen”, Banana Yoshimoto portrays a story in which Mikage Sakurai comes to terms with the adversity of death and loneliness, and through the use of cooking, she experiences personal growth. The concept comfort through the kitchen and a value for cooking serve as a key sources of personal guidance as Mikage copes with the loss of several loved ones and seeks to understand her own personal desires. Throughout the novel, Mikage finds solace and comfort in the setting of the kitchen, exhibiting a source of perseverance. Furthermore, the kitchen and food in general provide a manner by which Mikage can interpret and express her feelings regarding loneliness, loss, and love. As Mikage comes to terms with her own ailments and wellbeing, she discovers the capacity to provide comfort and express her growing love for Yuichi. Thus, through the kitchen, Mikage is able to express perseverance, loneliness, and love as she develops a greater understanding of her own goals, desires, and values. As Mikage seeks to overcome the adversity of loss and loneliness, she finds comfort and solace in the kitchen. From the very onset of the novel, Yoshimoto makes this concept clear: “The place I like best in this world is the kitchen. No matter where it is, no matter what kind, if it’s a kitchen, if it’s a place where they make food, it’s fine with me.” (P. 3). Mikage experiences personal trifles as she copes with the loss of her grandmother’s death and a shift to an unusual way of

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