Farewell
to Manzanar Essay

Farwell to Manzanar is an autobiography of Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston.

The story is about Jeanne and her family, composed of her father Ko, her mother Riku and nine siblings during World War II. Her parents are first-­‐generation Japanese immigrants, called Issei. The children are called Nisei, they are natural American citizens and second-­‐generation Japanese. The story begins on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The book is set during WWII when the Anti-­‐Japanese sentiment was not unusual in states like California. Jeanne’s family and all Japanese were forced to move to an internment camp because they were all thought to be a threat for America. The Camp was called Manzanar. Manzanar is an isolated place located just outside the Mojave Desert in southeastern California. Jeanne observes and comments on her own and her family’s experiences before, during, and after the three and a half years internment. She is a seven years old girl and struggles to understand why she was living in a place surrounded by guards and guns. After the time spend in the camp Jeanne realizes that the world isn’t always fair and that people will always prejudge others based on race, religion, age or gender.

Unfortunately for her and her family, they cannot change or hide their looks; it is apparent that they are of Japanese descent, a fact that will cause them many troubles. Her mother is insulted when a secondhand dealer offers her only fifteen dollars for her best china, she angrily smashes the entire set in front of him. Prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Jeanne sees herself as an American. Her father always told her not to label people. But once at Manzanar she finds herself into a world where she is grouped by her racial identity and therefore is no longer seen as an unique person, but she is a part of a group that, at that time, were despised by many Americans. While in the camp, Jeanne is, for the first time, in a community exclusively made up only of other Japanese-­‐Americans. We have an image of the discrimination that Japanese immigrants were

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facing during that time from Jeanne’s father answer during his interrogation. .“I have been living in this country nine years longer than you have. Do you realize that? Yet, I am prevented by law from becoming a citizen. I am prevented by law from owning land. I am now separated from my family without cause (45)”. The examiner asks which nation the father would like to win he war, and his answer: "When your mother and father are having a fight, do you want them to kill each other? Or do you just want them to stop fighting?" shows how difficult it is for the first generation of immigrants to identify themselves. Once Jeanne and her family are free to leave the camp Jeanne prepares herself for another new sentiment, for being hated. She discovers that some of her peers question her American identity, even though the war was over. During her first day in 6th grade “Gee I didn’t know you could speak English” (158), was a student reaction that showed her that being of Japanese ancestry meant that she will be seen as someone foreign just because of her look. She is not allowed to join Girl Scouts or spend time outside of school with her friends, mainly because of the prejudicial attitudes of adults. They treat Jeanne as if she is inferior to her white female peers. When Radine becomes her friend, Jeanne questions why someone else has to protect her and why a white girl has to defend her in order for her to be accepted by others. She is beginning to see and question the prejudice of others.

In conclusion this time period was very difficult for many people all over the coast of the United States and in Japan. Jeanne really explained her experience there. All her thoughts and fears were clear. Imagine being 8 years old and not understanding what is happening around you. The theme of this book would be to not stereotype people that you do not know or have never talked to. This

is a good moral to have, considering the majority of American citizens are immigrants. I really

enjoyed the story of this book.

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