In Seventeen Syllables written by Hisaye Yamamoto, one theme that is clearly expressed is jealousy. It shows us how jealousy makes one do things that one will regret later. In Seventeen Syllables, Rosie's father is very jealous and over protective of his family. He storms out of the Hayano family's home, he kicks Mr. Kuroda out of his home, and breaks his wife's picture reward that was given to her. All are actions which could have been avoided but were caused by jealousy.
             On night when Rosie's family went to the Hayano's home, her mother started to share her poetry with Mr. Hayano. The night was pleasant and going fine until Rosie's father suddenly stormed out of the house and Rosie knew they would be heading home. "Her father, saying nothing, went out the door, onto the bright porch, and down the steps" (792). After apologizing for her husbands abruptness, Rosie's mother gathered her things and they both went outside to accompany Rosie's father in the car.
             Another day, Mr. Kuroda came to Rosie's home to deliver a reward Rosie's mother had won for her outstanding haiku poetry. Rosie's mother's hard determination and passion for haiku had finally paid off and won her a reward that brought a smile to her face. Mr. Kuroda and Rosie's mother were speaking when suddenly Rosie's father entered the house and kicked Mr. Kuroda out. "But suddenly, her father uttered an incredible noise, exactly like the cork of a bottle popping, and the next Rosie knew, he was stalking angrily toward the house, almost running in fact, and she chased after him crying, "Father! Father! What are you going to do? Soon Mr. Kuroda came out alone, putting on his coat" (798).
             After ejecting Mr. Kuroda from the house, Rosie's father grabs the reward and goes outside. "Next her father emerged, also alone, something in his arms (it was the picture, she real...