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Heela Yaacoobi

Professor Orta

English 123-2028

2 March 2017

Relations

In his graphic novel Shortcomings, Adrian Tomine highlights important social issues and

disparities in regarding feminism and racism. Tomine uses his only male character, Ben, as a

conduit to portray his messages. Bens selfish, demeaning, and racially-fetishizing behavior

pushes his part-time lovers and long-time girlfriend, Miko, away from him. Women are

oppressed by patriarchy economically, politically, socially, and psychologically; patriarchal

ideology is the primary means by which they are kept so (Feminist Criticism). Miko is a living

example of this ideology. She is perfectly self-sufficient, and much more successful than Ben;

both economically and socially. However, she feels the need to stay in this toxic relationship

because Ben might change for the better. Being with Ben for so long has probably made Miko

feel that if she left him, she wouldnt be able to do any better. The psychological abuse that she

faces day after day with Ben is draining to her creativity and self esteem, thus keeping her

oppressed and stuck in that position.

The first scene I chose to analyze begins on page 46, with Miko and Ben having their first

phone call after Miko left for New York. Miko is in her bed, while Ben is on the couch. This

highlights the time difference between California and New York, and reminds the reader of

where each character is. Miko, as always, initiates the conversation by asking Ben about work.

He gives a lengthy reply, and Miko supports his answer by saying, "Yeah, I bet" (46). Ben asks

her a question, and she answers, but he seems disconnected, and uninterested. They end up
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getting in a fight, and agree to not talk for a while. The relationship between men and women in

this scene changes throughout the conversation. Miko allows Ben to vent, but when it's his turn

to listen to her, he is not interested, and it shows. This relationship is very one-sided, with Miko

leading. This scene uncovers issues dealing with the operations of patriarchy as well. In today's

society, many people would be quick to excuse Ben's actions. Because he is a man, he does not

have to be interested in Miko's "girl problems", therefore making her point of view irrelevant and

unimportant. Ben blaming Miko for "starting it" also affirms the fact that men sometimes do not

evaluate their own actions, but are quick to blame the woman for a "microaggression" that they

commit as a result of the man's constant lack of supportive behavior. In this conversation, Ben

takes a jab and Mikos creative ability as well, and downplays her accomplishments. I think the

bit of dialogue that highlights the issue of Ben belittling Miko's creativity is when Miko is

sharing about her day. She says "I keep having these moments where I'll stop and think,

'Wow...I'm in New York City!'" and Ben retorts, "well, that is where you are..." Miko is sharing

this great moment in her life with Ben, and Ben, letting his jealousy get the best of him, gives her

a sarcastic remark in return.

The next scene that exemplifies Ben downplaying Mikos creativity was located in the

beginning of the novel, starting on page 10. The scene begins with Ben and Miko walking out of

the theater after Mikos Asian American Digital Festival. Ben has a frown on his face, and looks

annoyed when Miko goes to talk to some of her coworkers. Miko declines an invitation to go out

for a drink, because she has to get her boyfriend to bed. This not only shows that Ben is

incapable of handling himself, but also brings up a maternal side of Miko, which connects her to

femininity. Miko walks away with Ben, and they have a conversation about the festival. Ben

belittles her work by asking her, Did you really like that? (11). Miko has to deal with Ben
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disparaging her accomplishments, and replies, I guess it was kind of corny, but...yeah (11). She

is downplaying her own work in front of Ben, which shows the struggles that some women go

through when they are faced with prejudiced criticism. Ben makes her rethink, and think less of,

herself and her work by manipulating her like this. However, Miko shows a masculine side of

her by affirming that she did indeed enjoy the festival.

Another instance where Ben dismisses Mikos creativity and voice can be found in the

scene beginning on the bottom of page 27. Ben is washing the dishes after Miko cooked a meal,

and Miko tells him that she needs to talk to him about something. Miko shows him the adult

videos that she found in his desk. He offers to throw them away if they bother her, but she tells

him that the problem is that all of the girls in those movies are white. The part of this scene that

can be connected with Bens diminishing ways can be found in the middle of page 30, where Ben

asks Miko, Are you crazy? What the hell is wrong with you? (30). Instead of having a calm

argument, Ben jumps to the conclusion that the only reason why Miko is angry at him is because

she is crazy. Men often dismiss womens issues and concerns as being crazy, and we often see

this when men refer to their old significant others as crazy. This line can also be seen as a

parallel to how men think that women should not be in positions of power because they suddenly

turn irrational and erratic during the time of their menstrual cycle. This, and what Ben is doing,

significantly downplays womens achievements and self-worth. Miko tells Ben to stop yelling,

and then asks what hes getting so angry about. Yelling and being loud and assertive can be seen

as masculine, because being submissive and quiet is frequently categorized as feminine.

The last scene that shows how little value Ben has for Miko as a woman can be found in

the scene where Ben confronts Miko and Leon in New York. It shows Ben, obviously disheveled,

as seen by his grown out facial hair, approaching Miko, who is with another man. He goes up to
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them and says, "Did you fuck her in my bed?" (95). Miko then, flips out at Ben's weird question

and her friend, Leon, looks concerned. Leon then talks to Miko in Japanese, and Ben gets

irritated because he can't understand. Miko is angry, and Miko's friend asks Ben to calm down

and places a hand on his shoulder. Ben gets defensive, and accuses Miko of cheating on him.

Leon takes a fighting stance when Ben starts to get aggressive, and Miko tells her friend that he

can leave so she can talk to Ben. The first dialogue in this scene is Ben asking Leon if he had sex

with Miko in his bed. Ben does not even acknowledge Mikos existence in that moment, and

goes straight to Leon, the other man. This uncovers a lot regarding Bens respect for women. He

acts like Miko is a possession, rather than a person. This point is also highlighted when Leon

takes a fighting stance to warn Ben to calm down. Leon acts as if Miko is incapable of handling

the situation herself. Ben does not seem to approach this situation in a mature manner, and

resorts to acting like a child, by using sarcastic remarks.

Throughout the novel, we can see how Ben downplays Mikos achievement and self-

worth, which may play a part in how she sees herself as a successful woman and girlfriend.

Many patriarchal elements are observed to affect the way that Ben interacts with Miko. The

standards that society puts in place for men and women to follow are ultimately the factors that

tear apart their relationship. From a feminist criticism standpoint, we can see how Ben felt

threatened by how Miko did not stick to her gender norm, and how she became the more

dominant one in the relationship.

Works Cited

Feminist Criticism (1960's-Present). OWL Purdue Writing Lab ,

owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/01/. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017.

Tomine, Adrian. Shortcomings. USA , Drawn and Quarterly , 2007.

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