In Amy Tan's "Fish Cheeks", her mother states that "Your only shame is to have shame". While it may seem like Mrs. Tan is delivering an inspiring message to her daughter: don't be afraid to be yourself, one might take it's meaning as "one is only guilty if they feel guilty". This mindset draws parallels to Gary Soto's childhood. Fully aware of the consequence of his actions- knowing "enough about hell to stop" him from stealing, Soto still enjoys the profits of his sin by eating the "best thing [he] had ever tasted". Soto is not willing to share with Cross-eyed Johnny because Johnny's presence does not invoke guilt into Soto, and as a result, Soto feels like he hasn't even stolen in the first place. Only when faced with the thought of his mother knowing of his thievery does his "stomach taut" with imagined angels attempting to flee his now-conscious "bad deeds".
In Sherman Alexie's piece, his father ironically "Goes to war for peace". A criticism for the seemingly hypocritical actions of the hippie movement, Alexie's father's iconic actions represent the split realities of every situation. To many, Alexie's father was courageous for fighting for what he believed in, against an organization that seemed so powerful yet so corrupt at the same time. To others, his father was a violent druggie, looking to harm an upright officer merely trying to do his job, and protect the peace. While Alexie's father may have had justification for his actions, making him "unguilty", action was still taken upon him, giving him jail time. With a legal system built entirely upon the notion of being innocent until proven guilty, justness is entirely subjective.
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