|
|
Post by dianarmartinez on Jul 29, 2024 3:23:22 GMT
I noticed there was an identity crisis in this novel. During this time the Japanese were forced to do things against their will. In turn this takes away from their identity and their citizenship. Deep sense of alienation from their own culture and identity. This is a psychologically and physically separation from society.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dr. Nemmers on Jul 30, 2024 2:26:35 GMT
Yes, good point here--- when they were "inducted" into the camps, they were stripped of their identity (last name) and instead given a governmental classification. That is, they're no longer allowed to really be Japanese, or even Japanese American (according to the government, there's no such thing). Rather, the only way for them to be released back into society is to have a new identity as an American--- perhaps that's why they had to take "Americanization" classes.
Does she get her identity back at the end, or will she always be "Citizen 13660"? Can one be simultaneously Japanese and American, or did she have to leave her Japanese and family identity behind?
|
|
|
|
Post by garrison on Jul 30, 2024 15:00:48 GMT
What really struck me was the fact that they had to denounce Japan in order to have favorable conditions. I don't mean to make light of an incredibly serious situation but it reminds me of supporting a sports team. I am a diehard spurs fan. I feel like it would be hard for me to say the spurs suck and I hate them for some sort of reward. I can't even imagine what it would feel like to be asked to denounce your home and culture. I think in terms of stripping away someones identity, situations like this are pretty aggregious.
|
|
|
|
Post by gillianlaird on Jul 30, 2024 15:42:21 GMT
Though she lost parts of herself to the internment camps and what the American government did, I wonder if she also was able to find herself in other ways. I wonder if being surrounded by so many of her own people, all united in the fact that they were going through the same alienation, brought on a new sense of identity--one that might have been more strongly routed in her heritage than before. I could be reaching here.
|
|
