"...yes and no and oh..."

This phrase is from Rosie the heroine in Hisaye Yamamoto's short story Seventeen Syllables. This phrase represents Rosie's thought process as she has her first intimate encounter with Jesus. These three words represent Rosie's transition from girlhood to woman through her first act of intimacy. The "yes" that Rosie first thinks of represents her desire for the knowledge of sexuality and sensuality that Jesus is presenting to her. It may also be Rosie's acknowledgement of her own desires as a maturing girl on the brink of womanhood. This acknowledgement may lead to the power in which Rosie mentions during the kiss, the powers of seduction and beauty that she is now just being introduced to. The fact that yes is Rosie's first reaction is very interesting, it could be a sign that she is ready to enter womanhood and wants these new experiences and powers that she is learning about. However, immediately after the "yes" Rosie thinks "no". This sudden change in Rosie's thought process could represent the part of her that is still embedded in her childhood. The "no" shows Rosie's desire to remain innocent and virginal, and may incorporate a bit of fear about the knowledge she is obtaining and the new powers of seduction that she is learning. Along with the fear of this new knowledge is the possible fear of cultural judgment. It is possible that coming from a traditional Chinese family Rosie fears her parents judgement and rejection from this possibly immoral act. Along with Rosie's "yes and no" she ends this quick thought with "oh" suggesting her pleasure in this embrace and kiss as well as her acceptance of the coming knowledge and a release of any fears she may have. The order of the words also gives some hint at Rosie's final decision. she begins with initial excitement and joy, followed by her fear of judgment and the unknown, and then she relinquishes all of her fears and decides to make that transition into womanhood. This layout of Rosie's decision making process foreshadows for the reader Rosie's eventual choice she has to make with her mother. To remain an innocent child forever, or to go against her mother's wishes and become a woman.

Pamela Legge