oat" (37). This proves that Akiko wants to go against John in an attempt to control some aspect of her life. She knows that she has to eat the meat in order to please John. So when she rids herself of it, it is her way of making a decision about her body without John knowing she is betraying him. Akiko's wanting to purposely try to rid herself of the meat is also shown when she describes how she feels after it is over. She says, "She also knew that she felt a small flutter in her stomach, which she identified as success, every night when it was over" (38). Akiko's idea of success here is her feeling that she is doing what she wants and that she feels is right. Akiko has only ever been successful at her job, so she wants to know that she is able to have other successful experiences in her life.
             Akiko's wish for independence from her husband is also shown at another point in the story when she describes how she feels about her marriage and when John leaves town. Akiko describes her initial longi
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