Farewell to Manzanar
World events, although having such a mass population confliction, can effect and greatly impact even the littlest of individuals. We see in Farewell to Manzanar, that even though World War II was to supposed to have a "greater good" outcome, it effected races, cultures, families and children all on a personal level which had carried with them long after the war. In this book, our main protagonist, Jeanne Wakatsuki, had many conflicted relationships that were altered during and long after the war. We see her interacting with family, with friends, with schoolmates, and with clergy people. And although these relationships are defined and outspoken, I am looking at the more abstract relationships of Jeanne. She had relationships and conflicts with the camp of Manzanar, with her memory of her father, and with her own self. All of these relationships had made her who she is today. In this essay, I am looking at the relationship of Jeanne and the Non-Japanese-Americans. In the opening of the book, Jeanne speaks about her happy life in Ocean Park. Ocean Park was predominantly Caucasian neighborhood, where, although Jeanne's family was a minority, Japanese and Caucasians lived in harmony, both on the streets and in schools. Jean
on a date. In truth, Long Beach Polytechnic brings her nothing but pain, although she is a good student. Jeanne, however, is not envious or resentful towards her popular Caucasian friends. Jeanne knows that she is helpless to alter her heritage or fate. Jeanne is forced to face how her heritage will always affect her place in this world. Although her terrible experience with the Japanese in Terminal Island had placed fear into her mind, it did not take the love and trust of people out of her heart. Even when the American Army had moved the Japanese people for a third time, this time to a camp known to us as Manzanar, Jeanne still had hope. When driving through the barbed wire fence: "I opened a window, leaned out, and yelled happily. "Hey! This is a whole bus full of Watasukis!" (19) She was ready to relate to all of these new faces she is meeting. Jeanne's first day in sixth grade foreshadowed much of what her American class experience had yet to come. The other students discriminate against her. They are surprised to find out she can actually speak English. The alienation continues with her exclusion from groups and friendships. Jeanne blames herself for these rejections and resolves to overcome them by proving herself. She pushes herself to excel in her studies and in baton twirling, a very Americanized activity. Throughout her time in the camp, Jeanne had learned much about her Japanese heritage a
Some common words found in the essay are:
Americans Japanese, Kindergarten Oriental, Ocean Park, Terminal Island, Manzanar Jeanne, Jeanne Wakatsuki, Beach Polytechnic, War II, Japanese Caucasians, Park Unfortunately, ocean park, terminal island, camp manzanar, japanese heritage, oriental class, entered kindergarten,
Approximate Word count = 961
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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