What are we fighting for?

The texts that we've read so far all contain a common theme of self-perception and how it affects us. If we are able to accept and be comfortable with who we are, we are then able to broaden our focus in life so that it encompasses more of what the world has to offer. If we are unable to establish a comfortable relationship with our identity, then our minds will become obsessed with and constantly aware of this discomfort; we'll spend all of our time thinking about what we can change about ourselves in order to be better, rather than appreciating what we've been given. The fact that this theme appears in the literature that we've read thus far is not uncanny. Our identity is something that we think about every day. As a reader, it is easy to relate to Pecola and Jin because we, too, have established our own self-perceptions, and it is likely that many of us aren't wholly pleased with who we are. At one point or another, we have all experienced thoughts such as: "If I were funnier, people would like me more and I would be happier" or "If my family were rich, my life would be so much better because I wouldn't have to worry about money." Since we are all so familiar with these yearnings, the texts that we've read are infused with a new meaning; we have been in the shoes of these struggling characters. In The Bluest Eye, Pecola desperation for blue eyes is alleviated when her wish is granted. Upon this fulfillment, though, a new yearning manifests in Pecola. Even though she has blue eyes, worry fills her at the thought that there is someone out there with eyes more blue than hers. On page 203, she asks, "But suppose my eyes aren't blue enough?" It is clear that her satisfaction of having blue eyes is merely temporary; it is quickly replaced with a new desire. This desire seems just as dire as the previous. Pecola's newfound yearning illustrates the idea that a person can never be happy with what they have. There will always be something to strive for. Discomfort and dissatisfaction will consume you until you fulfill that desire, and, soon after, a new desire will manifest and take the place of the previous desire. It is safe to assume that this is a part of human nature. American Born Chinese does not support this idea as seamlessly as The Bluest Eye, however. In the end of the graphic novel, the reader is left to assume that Jin has finally come to terms with who he is. This makes the novel seem as though it is unresolved, since we are all familiar with the idea that one cannot be completely content forever. It is very possible that Jin has finally become comfortable with his heritage, but there are many more aspects of the self than that. It is only a matter of time before Jin finds another flaw to focus on.
Overall, it appears that our perception of self is meant to be a struggle. bell hooks might blame this on society. She might say that we are conditioned by society to be uncomfortable with who we are. While I would disagree, I can definitely see where one would get that idea. I blame the problem on the nature of humans; this problem is one that is inescapable in today's world. There will always be something that we want that we can't have; if we don't strive to achieve it, then what are we fighting for?