Coming of Age: Hawaiian Culture in Kirby Wright's Fiction

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Hawai'i Literary History
  • Literature and Ethnicity
  • The origins of Hawaiian Literature
  • Kirby Wright
• The Novels
  • Punahou Blues
    • Fiction and Autobiography
    • Summary
  • Molokai Nui Ahina
    • Authentic Material
    • Summary
  • The importance of setting
    • The setting of Punahou Blues
      • Honolulu in 2008
      • Re-Establishing the Kingdom
    • The setting of Molokai Nui Ahina
      • Brief History of Molokai
      • Molokai in 2008
• Coming of Age in the Novels
  • Definition of Coming-of-Age
  • Coming-of-Age in Punahou Blues
    • Family
    • Manhood
    • Love
  • Coming-of-Age in Molokai Nui Ahina
    • Family
    • Love
    • Identity

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper examines the fictional work of Kirby Wright, focusing on the novels *Punahou Blues* and *Molokai Nui Ahina*, exploring the integration and utilization of Hawaiian culture and the theme of "coming-of-age" in a multicultural society. The paper aims to analyze how Wright's novels depict the experiences of hapa haole protagonists navigating between cultures and seeking a sense of belonging.

• The integration of Hawaiian culture into the novels
• The theme of "coming-of-age" in a multicultural society
• The depiction of hapa haole identity and experiences
• The significance of setting in shaping the narratives
• The exploration of family dynamics and interpersonal relationships

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The paper begins by providing a brief overview of Hawai'i's literary history, highlighting the influence of various ethnicities and cultural traditions on its diverse literary landscape. The chapter then explores the novels *Punahou Blues* and *Molokai Nui Ahina*, examining their narratives, characters, and themes. It analyzes how Wright utilizes setting and cultural details to create authentic and immersive experiences for readers. The paper then delves into the central theme of "coming-of-age" in Wright's novels, analyzing how the protagonists navigate their identities, relationships, and societal expectations in the context of Hawaiian culture.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This paper explores the key concepts of Hawaiian culture, hapa haole identity, coming-of-age, multiculturalism, and the significance of setting in shaping narratives.