Characters and Relationships
Who is the narrator of the excerpt?
Jeanne Wakatsuki
What is the name of the camp where Jeanne and her family live?
Manzanar
What are the two possible answers internees could give to the Loyalty Oath?
Yes yes or no no.
What event in December created tension in the camp before the Loyalty Oath debate?
The December riot of 1942.
What instrument did Papa play that Jeanne and her brother called the "pinko-pinko"?
A samisen.
What is Papa’s full emotional state when he returns to the family at Manzanar?
Bitter, brooding, angry, and ashamed.
Approximately how many Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps during World War II?
120,000
What question does the Loyalty Oath ask about allegiance to the Japanese emperor?
It asks whether the signer will forswear any allegiance to the Japanese emperor or any other foreign government.
What was Papa’s main argument about why someone needed to believe in what they were fighting for?
Because otherwise, they wouldn’t fight well and could die "stupidly".
What is the theme of the Japanese national anthem?
Endurance, hope, and growth.
Why does the family feel tension and fear around Papa in their cubicle?
Papa drinks heavily, becomes abusive, and isolates himself.
What was the reason many Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps during World War II?
Fear of Japanese sympathizers and racial prejudice.
What happens to internees who answer "no no" on the Loyalty Oath?
They are labeled disloyal and sent to Tule Lake, a camp for those considered dangerous or untrustworthy.
Why did some camp members want to boycott the Loyalty Oath?
For fear of being shipped out of camp or as resistance to America's treatment of Japanese Americans.
What daily ritual did Papa’s family perform with the stone lantern outside their house in Japan?
Pouring a bucket of water over it to grow moss.
What is Woody’s relationship to Papa, and how does he respond during their arguments about loyalty?
Woody is Papa’s son. He listens respectfully and calmly, but he plans to join the army regardless of Papa’s strong objections.
Why does Papa feel ashamed of his early release from Fort Lincoln?
Rumors spread that he was an "inu" (an informer or collaborator) who betrayed fellow internees to gain his release.
What argument does Papa make to Woody about loyalty and fighting in the war?
He says a soldier must believe in what he’s fighting for, or they'll fight poorly and die unheroically.
Why did Papa's presence at the mess hall meeting create so much talk?
Because he was already viewed as an "inu," and "yes yes" was expected of him.
Why was Papa moved to tears when singing "Kimi ga Yo"?
It reminded him of his childhood and the values of endurance and resilience, which he desperately needed during his internment at Manzanar.
How do the narrator’s feelings toward Papa change over the course of the excerpt?
As an 8-year-old, she finds Papa's behavior confusing and frightening, but she also begins to see the deeper reasons for his shame and isolation.
What were the three "gates" for leaving Manzanar mentioned in the excerpt?
Infantry, repatriation to Japan, and relocation to inland jobs.
Why does Papa ultimately decide to answer "yes yes" on the Loyalty Oath?
He believes America will win the war, he sees no future in Japan, and he wants to avoid further separation from his family.
How did the sandstorm contribute to the fight between Papa and the accuser?
The storm added chaos and forced people to run for cover, ultimately ending the fight?
What type of moss is referenced in "Kimi ga Yo," and what is unique about it?
A mossy lichen with exquisitely tiny white flowers.