The Teahouse of the August Moon: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Teahouse of the August Moon" is a play set in post-World War II Okinawa that explores the complexities of cross-cultural interactions between American military personnel and the local villagers. The major characters include Sakini, an Okinawan interpreter who uses his understanding of native customs to navigate the cultural divide, and Colonel Purdy, a rigid U.S. Army officer focused on enforcing orders. Captain Fisby, a young officer with a background in humanities, becomes increasingly influenced by Okinawan culture, leading him to challenge military norms.
Lotus Blossom, a geisha, represents the cultural misunderstandings that arise, as her true role is misinterpreted by Fisby. Other villagers, such as Mr. Hokaida and Miss Higa Jiga, showcase the local perspective on American democratic ideals and the value of traditional crafts. Through these characters, the play addresses themes of identity, assimilation, and the often humorous misunderstandings that arise from cultural exchanges. Overall, the narrative highlights the challenges and richness of intercultural dialogue, inviting audiences to reflect on their own perceptions of foreign customs and values.
The Teahouse of the August Moon: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: John Patrick
First published: 1954
Genre: Play
Locale: Tobiki, Okinawa, Japan
Plot: Satire
Time: The late 1940's
Sakini, a middle-aged Okinawan interpreter for U.S. occupation forces following World War II. His skillful use of native Okinawan customs, Japanese folk wisdom, parody of Western ways, and naïveté reveal his perceptions of Americans and America. Sakini effectively bridges cross-cultural barriers.
Colonel Purdy, a stout U.S. Army officer assigned to democratize Okinawa following World War II. He is a single-minded individual who follows orders without question. He has rules and signs for the most trivial of situations; when alone, however, Purdy reads Adventure Magazine on work time. Outwardly, he guards his reputation, especially because of what his wife might say, but he is not above reversing orders to suit the whims of his superiors.
Captain Fisby, a U.S. Army officer in his late twenties, assigned as aide to Colonel Purdy. He had been an associate professor of humanities and is regarded as a misfit in military matters. Sakini constantly manipulates him into making all sorts of compromises and changes. Gradually, Fisby becomes so acculturated that he disobeys virtually every order that he is given, but in so doing he succeeds in making Tobiki a model village. His role demonstrates that a system is only a framework, within which ideal and reality may differ.
Lotus Blossom, a beautiful, petite Okinawan geisha girl. She has difficulty performing her duties as a geisha because Captain Fisby, to whom she has been given, is ignorant of the true role of the well-trained geisha and assumes her to be a prostitute.
Captain McLean, a psychiatrist in the U.S. Army. He is short and rather fat. His assignment is to make a psychological report on Captain Fisby, whose assimilation of the native ways is interpreted as a sign of mental imbalance. While he is working with Fisby, he is won over by Fisby and his cultural insights.
Sergeant Gregovich, a U.S. Army enlisted man, aide to Colonel Purdy. He goes through the motions of appearing to be efficient.
Old Woman, an Okinawan villager and grandmother of Tobiki's mayor, who rides, over protest, atop a loaded wagon that conveys Captain Fisby to his Tobiki assignment. Not to allow her to ride would make the mayor lose face; thus, she outmaneuvers those in command.
Old Woman's daughter, an Okinawan villager who, along with her three children, rides on the wagon to Tobiki.
Mr. Hokaida, a villager of Tobiki. A stout man in tattered peasant clothes, he presents Captain Fisby with a cricket cage when he arrives in Tobiki.
Mr. Omura, a villager of Tobiki. He welcomes Captain Fisby to Tobiki with chopsticks. He wears a white coat to distinguish himself from the rest of the villagers.
Mr. Sumata, a skilled carpenter in Tobiki. He brings Captain Fisby a geisha girl as a gift, providing a chance to see how cross-cultural misunderstanding can strain relationships.
Mr. Sumata's father, a skilled Tobikian carpenter. He helps to build the five-sided school/teahouse, highlighting the Japanese custom of passing on skills from one generation to the next.
Mr. Seiko, a Tobiki villager. He gives Captain Fisby geta, a kind of wooden sandals, when the officer arrives in Tobiki.
Miss Higa Jiga, an Okinawan villager chosen to be the president of a Ladies' League for Democratic Action. A chunky, flat-faced, unmarried young woman who wears heavy glasses, she makes amusing demands of Fisby in the name of democracy. Thus the Americans see how democracy is perceived by foreigners unaccustomed to the system.
Mr. Keora, an Okinawan villager. He is one of several who are dejected when they cannot sell Okinawan crafts to the U.S. Army personnel because they regard the handcrafted items as inferior to what American technology could produce at lower cost, even though the American goods are of lower quality.
Mr. Oshira, an Okinawan villager. This skilled artisan cannot sell his lacquer cups to soldiers who do not appreciate the time and skill that have gone into making them. He feels that the August moon at the end of summer—the peak between spring, the growing season, and fall, when nature sheds its foliage—symbolizes the maturity and wisdom that the two cultures have attained.
Major McEvoy, a U.S. Army officer. He is to be Captain Fisby's replacement.
Lady Astor, Miss Higa Jiga's goat. If the goat can drink homemade sweet potato brandy without harm, the men will drink it.