Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Doreen", Janice Mirikitani poignantly explores themes of identity, assimilation, and the devastating impact of societal and racial pressures on self-perception. Through the story of Doreen, a Japanese American girl who goes to extreme lengths to alter her appearance and behavior to fit in with her predominantly white peers, Mirikitani examines the destructive effects of internalized racism, bullying, and the desire to escape one’s heritage. Doreen’s struggle to redefine herself and the tragic outcome she faces illustrate the complexities of identity and the painful consequences of self-erasure.

The poem opens with a simple description: "Doreen had a round face. She tried to change it." This line sets the stage for Doreen’s struggle with her appearance, particularly her features that mark her as different from her classmates. The roundness of her face, likely a stereotypical marker of her Japanese heritage, becomes a source of shame for her, and she feels compelled to alter it in an attempt to conform. Doreen’s efforts to change her face symbolize a desire to escape the identity imposed on her by others, particularly those who mock and belittle her for her appearance.

Mirikitani then details the ridicule Doreen faces: "Everybody made fun of her in school. / Her eyes so narrow they asked if she could see, / called her moonface and slits." These cruel comments highlight the racism embedded in the taunts of her classmates, who reduce her to stereotypes and question her very ability to see, as if her facial features render her less human. The names "moonface" and "slits" are dehumanizing, objectifying Doreen and emphasizing her difference from the white norm. This constant mocking from her peers fosters a sense of inadequacy and fuels her desperation to change herself.

In response, Doreen transforms her appearance: "Doreen frost-tipped her hair / ratted it five inches high, / painted her eyes round, glittering blue shadow / up to her brow." This transformation, which includes Western beauty markers like frosted hair and blue eye shadow, reflects Doreen’s attempt to distance herself from her Japanese heritage and embrace an appearance that might make her more acceptable to her peers. The effort she puts into "painting" herself is symbolic of her internal struggle, as if she believes that altering her physical appearance will grant her the validation and acceptance she seeks. However, Mirikitani notes that these efforts "Made her look sad even when she smiled," suggesting that this artificial appearance does not bring her true happiness but instead underscores her internal conflict and the sorrow she feels from abandoning her authentic self.

Doreen's isolation from her Japanese American peers is evident in the line, "She didn’t hang with us, since she put so much time into changing her face." Doreen’s relentless focus on altering herself alienates her from her community, as if she believes that association with other Japanese Americans would undermine her attempts to fit into the broader, white-dominated culture. Her rejection of her peers reflects the painful choice many marginalized individuals face between assimilating to gain acceptance and embracing their heritage at the risk of exclusion.

Mirikitani’s description of Doreen’s interaction with white boys adds another layer to the story. "White boys would snicker when she passed by / and word got around that Doreen went all the way, / smoked and drank beer." These lines reveal that Doreen is both objectified and derided by her white peers, who view her not as an equal but as a curiosity or object of gossip. The rumor that she "went all the way" reflects the sexualization of Asian women, a stereotype that paints them as submissive or hypersexual. This stereotype adds another dimension to Doreen’s struggle, as she is subjected not only to racial discrimination but also to misogynistic assumptions that further devalue her.

The story Doreen tells about her veteran boyfriend is disturbing and filled with painful irony. She describes how he, fresh back from Korea with physical scars, would recount tales of torturing “gooks” by hanging them from trees with grenades in their crotches. The casual way in which Doreen shares this story—"She told us it was a kick to listen"—suggests that she may be numb to the horror of these tales, perhaps desensitized by the need to find approval in any form. Her attraction to a man who inflicted violence on people of similar ethnicity to herself reveals the depth of her internalized self-hatred and her disconnect from her heritage. By engaging with someone who openly dehumanizes people like her, Doreen further distances herself from her own identity, adopting the biases of those around her in a desperate attempt to belong.

The poem’s climax—Doreen’s tragic accident—symbolizes the ultimate cost of her transformation: "One day, Doreen riding fast with her friend / went through the windshield / and tore off her skin from scalp to chin." This violent image of Doreen’s skin being stripped from her face is both literal and symbolic. Throughout the poem, Doreen has been metaphorically “tearing off” her own identity by altering her appearance and rejecting her heritage. The accident, in which her skin is physically removed, represents the culmination of her efforts to erase herself, as if the destruction of her face is the final, tragic result of her attempts to conform. The poem implies that Doreen has been “riding fast” in her quest for acceptance, hurtling toward self-destruction in her desperation to shed her identity.

The poem concludes on a somber note: "And we were sad. / Because no one could remember Doreen’s face." This final line underscores the devastating impact of Doreen’s erasure. In her efforts to change her appearance, Doreen has lost her uniqueness and, in a sense, her identity. Her face, which once bore the marks of her heritage, has been forgotten, leaving her a tragic figure whose memory is clouded by her attempts to assimilate. The sadness of her peers reflects the futility and sorrow of Doreen’s transformation; despite her efforts to be accepted, she ends up disappearing from memory, her individuality erased along with her features.

In "Doreen", Janice Mirikitani offers a powerful critique of the pressures of assimilation and the consequences of internalized racism. Doreen’s story is a cautionary tale about the cost of denying one’s heritage and the harm that comes from trying to conform to societal expectations at the expense of one’s identity. Through the tragedy of Doreen’s life and death, Mirikitani illustrates the destructive impact of racialized beauty standards and the emotional toll of prejudice. "Doreen" serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of self-acceptance and the dangers of a society that prioritizes conformity over individuality. In the end, Mirikitani honors Doreen by capturing her story, preserving her memory in a way that her peers could not, and giving voice to the pain and struggles faced by those who feel they must change themselves to be seen and accepted.

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