A Study Guide for Garrett Hongo's "What For"

What For

Garrett Kaoru Hongo

1982

Introduction

Garrett Kaoru Hongo's What For appeared in the 1982 collection Yellow Light. This poetry collection was Hongo's first volume of poetry that was all his own. It reveals much about who Hongo is as a poet and what his unique perspective is. The book explores Hongo's family and his past. It is a sort of collage of places he has lived, people he has known, stories he has heard, and who he understands himself to be. What For is one of the family poems in the collection. The speaker recalls his childhood self and the things he loved most. He mentions magic, religion, his grandparents, and his physical surroundings.

But What For is primarily about the speaker's father. The child anticipates his father's return from a hard day of physical labor and enjoys the little time they spend together. As a child, the speaker wanted to heal his father and make him feel better physically. He imagines what it would be like to play catch among the papaya trees together, but he settles for the dream of bringing magic and healing to his father. The title points the reader to the speaker's multiple statements about what he lived for when he was six years old. These were the things that were most important and exhilarating to him. What For is a poem of innocence and childhood longing. It also touches on some of the themes that run through Hongo's work, such as family, generational ties, love of homeland, and joy in the everyday.

Author Biography

Hongo was born in Volcano, Hawaii, on May 30, 1951. While Hongo is considered an important voice among post-World War II Japanese Americans, he is more than just a niche poet. His work resonates with a wide and diverse audience of readers. Hongo's style is considered postmodern, as it utilizes a variety