Background
Why couldn't Papa own land?
Immigrants born in Japan were prented by law from becoming citizens or owning land.
How old is Jeanne at the start of the novel?
seven
What is the meaning of "Shikata ga nai"?
It cannot be helped
It must be done
What is the literal meaning of "inu"? And what does "inu" mean in camp?
dog
collaborator or traitor
Why did Papa burn his flag from Hiroshima?
He wanted to destroy any evidence that he was from Japan or could cause people to suspect that he has loyalty to Japan.
`What is the significance of Papa's cane?
Connects him to his Samurai roots
His cane represents his sword.
Uses it as a swagger stick
What was Papa's job before Manzanar?
Captain/fisherman
Why are the internees horrifed by the first meal in the camp? How did they react?
Served apricot syrup on rice. Traditionally, the Japanese only ate rice with salty or savory foods.
The internees were polite so they said nothing.
Why was Kaz at the reservoir? What happened there and why?
Kaz was on the reservoir crew - his regular job
The crew was surprised by jittery military police and were accused of sabotage.
Because of the riots, the caucasian MPs were scared and suspicious
In what way can the passage where Papa begins to question the young interviewer be considered ironic?
Papa has been in America longer than the interviewer has been alive, yet Papa is not able to be a citizen. Papa has worked and paid taxes but is not considered an American.
Why did Papa move to the US?
Family pride prevented him from working in diminshed family buisines (teahouse)
Wanted to make it big in America
What is the setting at the start of the story (time and place)
Pier in Long Beach, California
December 1941
What were some of the problems with the camp when the internees first arrived? (at least 3 things)?
Homes with cracks and knotholes that let wind and sand into the barracks.
No walls or privacy
Plumbing issues
No partitions (in the bathrooms)
Inexperienced cooks
What were the three ways internees could leave camp from chapter 11?
1. Sent back to Japan or imprisoned as pro-Japan
2. Volunteer to fight in the war
3. Relocation program if you had a sponsor and a job
Bonus: How is volunteering to fight in the war an ironic way for internees to leave the camp?
What does Kiyo do that earns the respect of his father?
Rescues his mom by jumping out at Papa and hitting his father in the face. Kiyo's bravery and loyalty to his mama and his family is admirable to Papa.
Define Issei and Nisei
Issei - 1st generation in the US, born in Japan then emigrated to the US
Nisei - 2nd generation, born in the US; Children of Issei parents
Why was Jeanne afraid of Asians?
She previously lived in a neighborhood with no Asians
Papa threatended to "sell her to the Chinamen" when she misbehaved.
Why did the children get sick in the camp?
Children were given typhoid shots dosed for an adult.
Eating spoiled food from poor refrigeration and inexperienced cooks.
How does the mess hall atmosphere affect Japanese families inside Manzanar?
Describe how the age groups began to eat separately:
The old needed food brought to them, the children ate in gangs of younger kids, older kids ate with friends and found the best cooks, younger boys made a game out of it eating at several mess halls.
Family strength and connection disappeared
Explain why Papa isolated himself when he first arrives at Manzanar.
Let out of Fort Lincoln early, so accused of being an inu. This caused great shame, so Papa isolated himself.
Why does Jeanne Watkatsuki Houston write Farewell to Manzanar? (2 reasons)
To show life inside the camp
To come to terms with the impact of those years on her life and her family
What is Executive Order 9066?
The order signed by President Roosevelt gave the military the authority to define military zones and exclide from those areas anyone who may threaten the war effort. Gave permission to intern Japanese and Japanese Americans.
Explain Papa's comment to the interviewer: "When your mother and father are having a fight, do you want them to kill eachother? Or do you just want them to stop fighting"
Parents are like Japan and the US.
He is connected to both countries.
He doesn't want his two "parents" to be fighting at all.
What sparks the December Riot? What were the underlying causes that made the camp come to a boiling point?
* Popular, outspoken chef arrested without evidence for the beating of a camp authority sympathizer.
* Authorities arrested the cook to get him out of camp since he was trying to start a union and he accused the Caucasians of selling sugar and meat meant for internees on the black market to Caucasians.
* Men locked up with no choices or the ability to take care of families.
* Increased anti-caucasian sentiment
Why does Papa think it is dangerous for Woody to sign the loyalty oath?
To fight well, one must believe in the cause.
If one does not feel passionate about the cause for the war, he will not fight bravely, and so die stupidly
Papa does not feel Woody can believe in a country that has locked up his family. And so Papa doesn't think Woody will fight well, and so he will die.