Mom/Dad
What happened to the dad at the beginning of the story?
He got sent to a separate camp that the rest of the family.
what bad habit does the girl pick up in the camp?
smoking.
what was the name of the boy's best friend?
Elizabeth
what do trees symbolize?
the family's connection with nature, being grounded/ having a safe space
What does withered mean?
to become dry or shriveled.
how does the mother change after being in the camps?
she stops trusting the government, she becomes paranoid of the people around her, she loses her "spark"
what are 2 nicknames the dad had for the boy?
little guy, gumdrop, peanut, plum.
Who did they trust to rent out their house?
Mr. Parker
what do the wrinkles represent for both the mom/dad?
it represents them getting older and wearing down, getting tired, and the length of time they were in the camps.
What does congregate mean?
to come together, assemble or meet in large numbers.
Whats the meaning of the father's confession at the end?
it is to be sarcastic about the situation by showing every absurd answer to the stereotypes he was accused of.
why does the boy love cowboys and horses so much?
He's trying to fit into an American life, and he also views cowboys as heroes.
Who was the cashier at the beginning of the story?
Joe Lundy.
what does the tortoise coming back to life symbolize?
it symbolizes hope
what does inscrutable mean
that cannot be discovered by searching/mysterious.
The boy writes to his father and asked if he had access to this:
toothpaste.
how long were they in the Topaz Internment camp at the racetrack?
6 months.
What happened to Mr Woodroof?
He disappeared in Butaan
what does dust represent?
it represents America trying to cover up Japanese culture and hiding them (losing identity)
what does repudiates mean?
to reject, refuse to accept, or disown something or someone.
What had the father forgotten to fix for the boy?
the bell on his bike.
What are some of the things the boy finds along the fence?
arrowheads, seashells, and skulls.
Who was Mrs Kato?
an old neighbor at the Topaz internment camp.
what does the color red symbolize?
it symbolizes Japanese culture/their roots.
what does vagrant mean?
person who lacks regular employment, one without fixed abode, a tramp, a loafer