Janice Mirikitani Suicide Note Summary

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“Suicide Note,” by Janice Mirikitani, was written in 1987. Mirikitani was an Asian-American college student who committed suicide. Moreover, she wrote a poem in the form of a suicide note and includes an apology to her parents. In contrast, “Dreams of Suicide,” by William Meredith, was written in 1980. Instead of committing suicide, Meredith writes about his dream of three writers who did. The relationship between Janice Mirikitani's “Suicide Note,” and William Meredith's “Dreams of Suicide” are the themes of suicide, apology, and inadequacy.
Although Mirikitani, Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Plath, and John Berryman committed suicide for different reasons, all of these writers still ended their lives. For example, Mirikitani jumped out of her dormitory …show more content…

For example, Miriktani is apologizing for the various stages in her life in which she failed to meet anyone else’s expectations. Furthermore, as Mirikitani is writing the suicide note, she realizes that what she is about to do is going to hurt others, especially her parents. However, she explains why she is going to commit suicide. Mirikitani is also apologizing for what is left behind, like her mother and father, and essentially asks for their forgiveness in advance. Mirikitani also apologizes for not meeting her parents standards. Similarly, Meredith is apologizing for the lives that each writer had to live to get to the point of committing suicide. He also wishes they would have known that they did not have to commit suicide because they produce excellent work. Furthermore, Meredith thinks it is sad that the writers did not know what a magnificent contribution they made. Meredith also wonders why it takes tragedy to produce …show more content…

At first, Mirikitani is afraid she never met her parents expectations. She then hopes that by sacrificing herself, it will cover up her lack of action. For example, Mirikitani angrily continues to state how she was “not good enough” and “not smart enough” (Mirikitani 3). Additionally, these lines represent a feeling of inferiority and never being able to measure up to anyone else. In other words, what is the point of going on if one cannot accomplish anything. Similarly, Meredith implies that the three writers are remarkable people, yet each felt inadequate and that literature was not enough for them. For example, Ernest Hemingway felt that he could no longer meet his own expectations as a writer and could not achieve future success. Additionally, John Berryman felt that he could not write like he used to. Meredith further declares that no one was disappointed in the writers and looked forward to everything they were getting ready to do. Furthermore, he believes that there was no need for them to commit suicide and wondered why the writers felt they did not do enough. Meredith goes on to lament the

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