Memory and language in Hiromi Goto’s Chorus of mushrooms

Abstract

Hiromi Goto’s Chorus of Mushrooms (1994) highlights the difficulties encountered by Japanese when immigrating and living in Canada. This essay focuses on how Hiromi Goto uses linguistic codes to construct cultural identities and to stress the arbitrary nature of stereotypes. It analyzes the importance of memory and translation, which can be seen as both necessary and alienating. It also examines the importance of language and storytelling in the process of constructing one’s identity.