Farewell To Manzanar

992 Words4 Pages
“Farewell to Manzanar” This book was a very insightful and intriguing demonstration of prejudice that was experienced by people of Japanese decent following the tragedy at Pearl Harbor. We seem to acknowledge that prejudice and discrimination surround, yet until we have to chance to see it through the victim’s eyes there is never an adequate understanding of the actual battle that occurs. Those that suffer and overcome this demeaning struggle are actual heroes in this world, yet they never seem to get the glorification that seems appropriate. The events portrayed in “Farewell to Manzanar” occur in several different locations that bring the different struggles endured to the surface, and as the locations and time change so do the types and severities of the conflicts endured. Jeanne is the daughter of a fisherman in California that experiences some of the toughest trials that life can induce. It begins with her waving good-bye to her father in her normal fashion, only to find out that they are returning earlier than expected due to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Her father, in fear, attempts to cover his family by burning his Japanese flag and identification papers, but nonetheless is arrested by government officials. The family is relocated by the mother to a slum that is predominately Japanese, and then to Los Angeles. While relocating President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066 comes into effect and all that are considered threats can be captured and placed into camps. It is inevitable for the Japanese race that avoiding their capture is unfeasible. The Wakatsuki family is relocated to a camp in Manzanar, where Jeanne’s internal and external battles begin. This camp does not contain adequate living facilities, there is a shortage of clothes, and the food wasn’t properly prepared. There were many illnesses and complications that began to set in on the people in
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