Japanese Internment Questions

How did Jeanne and her family live before the war? From the evidence in her memoir, did they enjoy acceptance by the larger society?  

What adjustments to life in Manzanar did Jeanne find most difficult or painful? Did her father, mother, and siblings, respectively, share her feelings and perspectives? If their responses differed, what might account for this?

How did Woody and Papa differ on the merits of volunteering for the Armed Forces? Why did they differ?

What challenges did Jeanne and her family face on leaving the camp? How did Jeanne deal with these challenges?

Most scholars depict General DeWitt as prejudiced and insensitive, but he insisted then and long after that he had acted as any responsible commander would. Do you consider his decisions and explanations reasonable?

In your view, does Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston's firsthand account of Japanese-Americans in Manzanar tend to discredit General DeWitt's letter and leadership? Or is this a case where the demands of national security required restrictions on civil liberties, however unfortunate? Explain your view with specific reference to the texts.

Consider the report by the War Relocation Authority, "Relocation of Japanese Americans," in light of the memoir Farewell to Manzanar. Are the accounts in basic agreement about the experience of Japanese Americans? What do the accounts add to each other? Do they conflict in any significant way?

The cluster presents varied accounts of the internment of Japanese Americans. In what ways does Jeanne’s memoir confirm, deepen, or challenge your understanding?