Roy Lara

LBS 375
Dr. Hendricks
Farewell To Manzanar Analysis
The 1940s were a time of despair for the Japanese living in America. They were forced
out of their homes and were further moved to camps in order to monitor their actions. The motif
behind this was to make sure that none of the Japanese people in America were saboteurs. A
recollection of her and her familys time at camp Manzanar, Jeanne Wakatsuki records the perils
her family endured in her novel Farewell To Manzanar. One of the controversial topics that is
brought up in the novel is whether or not her brother, Woody, should fight for the Americans in
the Second World War. Her brother thinks that it his duty as a citizen to fight for America
whereas her father feels otherwise because of the treatment they are receiving. Despite Woodys
views the fathers argument to not join Americas military is justified by the treatment he has
received by his own government.
Woody, who is an American born Japanese feels as if he has more of a connection the
United States than he does Japan. Despite the fact that he has family in Japan, he was born and
raised in America. When the time comes for the young interned Japanese men to take oath for
the American military he is caught in the middle of both sides. He ultimately sides with what he
feels is right to say, yes, yes to the oath given by the government. When debating with his
father about siding with America, Woody claims he will fight because he is an American [and]
America is at war (Pg. 83).
However, his father, Ko, thinks that Woody should refuse to join the United States
military. Being forced into a Japanese detention camp for the past two years reinforces Kos
resentment towards the American government. He states but look where they have put us! (pg.

83) to refute his sons ideology of why he should side with America. The disappointment that Ko
feels from the American government is evident by the arguments he uses against his son as to
why he should not fight. Not only was he forced into detention, but also he was separated from
his family for a year to be interrogated by the FBI. His feeling of betrayal by the American
government justifies his reasoning for his son to stay out of the war.
Of the two points of view, I believe the right decision is to not join Americas side in the
war. Although Woody feels as if it is his duty as a citizen to fight for America, I believe that the
government has robbed Woody of his citizenship. The treatment that Woody and other Japanese
families have endured is not how innocent citizens should be treated. Ko finds it difficult to
defend a country that has punished him based solely on his race rather than his actions. I also
would refuse to risk my life for something I do not believe in especially if it justifies the
American governments wrongdoing.
The question of whether or not to side with America was something that all families in
the detention camps faced in 1943. It was probably the most controversial topic that arose
during the time because a majority of the families were probably just as innocent as the
Wakatsuki family; however they did not know how to react because of the harsh punishment that
was inevitable if they defected the American government. Even though the decision was
ultimately decided by the government it was still a challenging decision to make because of the
cultural ties many had to Japan alongside their mistreatment in the states.