"His name is Oji. It means 'prince' in Japanese. We hope it will remind you of the happy time you spent with us in Japan."
Virginia and her father lived in Japan for several years while serving in the military to help the forces maintain law and order. When the time came for Corbetts to leave Japan, a ceremony was arranged in their honor. The Japanese officials presented various presents as a symbol of appreciation for the good work the family did for the people of Japan. The most outstanding gift was Oji, a small puppy handed to Virginia by one of the officials. Oji was an Akita breed, one of the most loyal and bravest dog breeds in the history of Japan.
“Mother cornered in the woods, Snarling and snapping, pawning at the dirt with rage. But Oji, barking and howling, spit flying from his jaws, furious whenever she tried to move.”
The quote shows Virginia's fantasies about her Akita dog called Oji. Oji is Akita's bravest breed. It is used in hunting large game bears by Japanese hunters. The most common type of dog used in such assignments was Akita Matagi. In her fantasies, Virginia imagines her mother as a big boar in the woods, and Oji is tracking her down during a hunting exercise. It corners her mother and renders her motionless. This image depicts the power of Oji in protecting Virginia throughout her childhood years.
“You were so insignificant, Virginia, that I once left you behind in a crib. Certainly – certainly you will never amount to anything.”
Virginia's mother is a sad woman. Whenever she feels frustrated, she expresses her disappointment to her daughter. Virginia's mother believes she is perfect, but paradoxically, she forgets that her daughter cannot absorb her frustrations at an early age. Virginia's brain is preoccupied with the fantasy about hunting with her dog, Oji. The mistakes Virginia might have committed while a toddler should not keep her mother reminding her of her uselessness. Virginia is growing now, and she sees things differently.
