Farewell to Manzanar
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston's collaborative memoir chronicles the internment camps of the 1940's, specifically Manzanar. Located just 225 miles outside of Los Angeles, this novel is an integral part of not only Southern Californian history but also American history as a whole.
Final Draft Prompts:
The final draft prompt is an exercise in concise, focused writing. You will write one 6-8 sentence paragraph that not only answers a specific prompt, but also supports your thesis with strong textual support - quotes or specific examples from the novel. You will get your paragraph peer edited by a classmate, parent, sibling, friend, neighbor, anyone, and then write a final draft. You will turn in both rough and final drafts for full credit.
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 1-3:
Describe the conditions at Manzanar. Why do the Wakatsukis not complain more? Why are they and other camp residents so agreeable at this point?
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 4-5:
"Shikata Ga Nai" Explain this phrase and its role in the buildup to the internment camps following Pearl Harbor.
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 6-8:
"When your mother and father are having a fight, do you want them to kill each other or to stop fighting?" Explain this quote and how it relates to the US and Japan.
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 9-11:
"The stone can be the kingdom or it can be a man's life." Explain this quote from chapter 11 and how it relates to Papa.
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 12-16:
What is Ex Parte Endo and what does it mean for the end of the internment camps? What is Jeanne's family's response to this?
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 17-19:
As Manzanar is closed, the Japanese-Americans held there are ordered to leave, however, many families, including Jeanne's, resist. Why? What makes them fearful or hesitant to leave the camp?
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 20-22:
Jeanne wears very different dresses for the school queen election assembly and her coronation after she wins. Discuss how these two dresses reflect her identity, and her difficulty expressing her true self.
The final draft prompt is an exercise in concise, focused writing. You will write one 6-8 sentence paragraph that not only answers a specific prompt, but also supports your thesis with strong textual support - quotes or specific examples from the novel. You will get your paragraph peer edited by a classmate, parent, sibling, friend, neighbor, anyone, and then write a final draft. You will turn in both rough and final drafts for full credit.
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 1-3:
Describe the conditions at Manzanar. Why do the Wakatsukis not complain more? Why are they and other camp residents so agreeable at this point?
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 4-5:
"Shikata Ga Nai" Explain this phrase and its role in the buildup to the internment camps following Pearl Harbor.
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 6-8:
"When your mother and father are having a fight, do you want them to kill each other or to stop fighting?" Explain this quote and how it relates to the US and Japan.
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 9-11:
"The stone can be the kingdom or it can be a man's life." Explain this quote from chapter 11 and how it relates to Papa.
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 12-16:
What is Ex Parte Endo and what does it mean for the end of the internment camps? What is Jeanne's family's response to this?
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 17-19:
As Manzanar is closed, the Japanese-Americans held there are ordered to leave, however, many families, including Jeanne's, resist. Why? What makes them fearful or hesitant to leave the camp?
Final Draft Prompt Chapters 20-22:
Jeanne wears very different dresses for the school queen election assembly and her coronation after she wins. Discuss how these two dresses reflect her identity, and her difficulty expressing her true self.
Character Analysis:
For each of the selected individuals from the novel, you will analyze several aspects of their character: Physical Description: 3-5 sentences, what does this person look like? Find two quotes to support your assertion. Personality: 3-5 sentences, what is this person's attitude toward life? How do they react to happiness? Fear? What are they like? Find two quotes to support your assertion. Motivation: 3-5 sentences, what does this character want? Every character, every person wants something. It can be complex and involved - they want freedom, justice, the answer to the meaning of life. It can be simple - a drink of water, relief from pain. Find 1 quote to support your assertion. Jeanne Papa Woody Mama |
Chapter Study Questions:
Chapter Study Questions should be answered in complete sentences. Use textual evidence to support your claims.
Chapter Study Questions should be answered in complete sentences. Use textual evidence to support your claims.
manzanar_study_questions.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Discussion Questions:
Discussion Questions are generally a part of class group work. If you are absent on any of the discussion question days, you will need to answer them in complete sentences with textual evidence to support your response.
These questions and discussion points come to us via Facing History.
Chapters 1-3
Why does Papa burn the Japanese flag after Pearl Harbor? What does this incident reveal about his fears? How realistic were those fears?
Why did Mama move the family to Terminal Island after Papa's arrest and disappearance? What values and beliefs shaped her decision?
Explain why Mama breaks the family china before leaving Terminal Island. What does this incident reveal about her personality, beliefs, values?
Chapters 4-5
What arguments might people have used to challenge myths and misinformation about Japanese Americans?
What kinds of rumors and other stories do people find it is easiest to accept as truth? What stories do they find it hardest to accept? What is the difference between the stories you believe without question and those you doubt?
What aspects of internment at Manzanar most affected family life, ritual and routine?
Chapters 6-8
With a partner, read chapter 7 out loud. One of you will read the part of the army officer and the other will read the part of Ko, Jeanne's Papa. In pairs discuss the moral, or lesson of the chapter. How does this chapter add to our understanding of the word loyalty?
Chapters 9-11
Examine the class hand out - the eviction notice posted for Japanese and Japanese-Americans instructing them to report for the internment camps. What is the intent of the language in this document? How does it attempt to calm any potential uprisings or revolts? Why is it called an 'evacuation' rather than 'eviction'?
Chapters 12-16
We will examine the details of several prominent court cases that led to the closing of the internment camps. In class, we will read and discuss the details of each case, and analyze how these cases were fought and won. (class handouts)
Chapters 17-19
Read "In Reponse to Executive Order 9066" by Dwight Okita (handout in class)
Write a response from the Denise to her Japanese-American friend who was sent away to the camps. Does she feel regret as the first tomatoes begin to grow? Why did she treat her friend so badly? What do you imagine Denise might say to friend after a bit of time has passed? (1 page)
Chapters 20-22
Read "Concentration Constellation" by Lawson Fusao Inada (class handout)
Write an original poem about a place you remember from your childhood. It does not have to rhyme, and you do not need to follow any particular structure. I want you to include details - smells, colors, touch, sight, sound - what do you want people to remember about this place?
Discussion Questions are generally a part of class group work. If you are absent on any of the discussion question days, you will need to answer them in complete sentences with textual evidence to support your response.
These questions and discussion points come to us via Facing History.
Chapters 1-3
Why does Papa burn the Japanese flag after Pearl Harbor? What does this incident reveal about his fears? How realistic were those fears?
Why did Mama move the family to Terminal Island after Papa's arrest and disappearance? What values and beliefs shaped her decision?
Explain why Mama breaks the family china before leaving Terminal Island. What does this incident reveal about her personality, beliefs, values?
Chapters 4-5
What arguments might people have used to challenge myths and misinformation about Japanese Americans?
What kinds of rumors and other stories do people find it is easiest to accept as truth? What stories do they find it hardest to accept? What is the difference between the stories you believe without question and those you doubt?
What aspects of internment at Manzanar most affected family life, ritual and routine?
Chapters 6-8
With a partner, read chapter 7 out loud. One of you will read the part of the army officer and the other will read the part of Ko, Jeanne's Papa. In pairs discuss the moral, or lesson of the chapter. How does this chapter add to our understanding of the word loyalty?
Chapters 9-11
Examine the class hand out - the eviction notice posted for Japanese and Japanese-Americans instructing them to report for the internment camps. What is the intent of the language in this document? How does it attempt to calm any potential uprisings or revolts? Why is it called an 'evacuation' rather than 'eviction'?
Chapters 12-16
We will examine the details of several prominent court cases that led to the closing of the internment camps. In class, we will read and discuss the details of each case, and analyze how these cases were fought and won. (class handouts)
Chapters 17-19
Read "In Reponse to Executive Order 9066" by Dwight Okita (handout in class)
Write a response from the Denise to her Japanese-American friend who was sent away to the camps. Does she feel regret as the first tomatoes begin to grow? Why did she treat her friend so badly? What do you imagine Denise might say to friend after a bit of time has passed? (1 page)
Chapters 20-22
Read "Concentration Constellation" by Lawson Fusao Inada (class handout)
Write an original poem about a place you remember from your childhood. It does not have to rhyme, and you do not need to follow any particular structure. I want you to include details - smells, colors, touch, sight, sound - what do you want people to remember about this place?
Journal Prompts
Most everyday we will have a writing prompt that centers on the novel or issues surrounding the reading. Here is a partial list of our journal prompts. Many more are generated organically based on classroom discussions. When it comes time at the end of the unit to turn in your journal and you are short entries, check this list, and also with a buddy to see what prompts you have missed.
manzanar_journal_prompts.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Documentary and Media
Throughout the unit, we will watch a variety of documentary media that speaks to the survivors of Manzanar and other internment camps as well as the history, impact and lessons for our times.
Write a one page reflection for each selection.
Write a one page reflection for each selection.
An American Contradiction from Vanessa Yuille on Vimeo.