Theme Of Prejudice In Farewell To Manzanar

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Prejudice in World War II During World War II, Japan attacked America, but somehow that meant that every Japanese person was equally involved. The book being read, Farewell to Manzanar, was written by Jeanne Wakatsuki and her husband James D. Houston. Once World War II started, the prejudice against the Japanese became strong, especially on December 7th, 1941, when Japan decided to bomb Pearl Harbor causing the very next day to be war. For a small seven year old named Jeanne and her family, they were both surprised, and nervous. Like a large percent of the Japanese living in America, they were sent to a camp called Manzanar. As everyone’s stress begins to boil, little Jeanne is left to herself most of the time. Time passes as schools begin…show more content…
When Jeanne first arrived at Manzanar, she felt overwhelmed because before, “We were the only Japanese family in the neighborhood.” (7) The family began to grow apart as time passed, so Jeanne began to explore by herself. Once schools started, she began to experiment with many things; however papa didn’t have the same thoughts. Before they began to leave Manzanar, they expected brutal racism because of other stories, but once they arrived in the new place, it wasn’t as bad as they thought. While they were there Jeanne begins to go to Middle school as a 6th grader. While she is there, people are very surprised that she can speak English. She learns that she isn’t accepted in many things in school and after school, but she happily makes a new friend named Radine. However, everything seems to change between them when they reach high school. Jeanne see’s that Radine can do so many more things than her and Jeanne wishes to be accepted as not only a foreigner, but also a normal person like everyone else. Later papa decides to move to a new place and a new school. At the new school, Jeanne is actually nominated to be the carnival queen. When the school heard that she was nominated, many teachers were no approving of her, so some of them even tried to rig the ballots so another nomine could have a better chance of winning. After Jeanne won, she had to go to a coronation ceremony, however during that time; she realized that she is not American, nor Japanese. She is both. Prejudice has made her realize people will not see what’s inside, and only see what her face looks like. In Farewell to Manzanar, Papa, Mama, and Jeanne all go through many experiences of prejudice, but they all get through it and learn many things on the way. This book shows that back in World War II, not only was Jeanne treated this way, but also many other Japanese families went through
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