Dewey W. Hall

Abstract

The study of Asian-Ameican Literature needs to be grounded within a socio-cultural and socio-historical context. Such factors contribute to the construction of the Asian self in terms of race, gender, and culture. This expresses itself in a mode of discourse which struggles to mediate the tension from wtihin between what it means to be Asian and American; and also, from without, wherein the Asian will attempt to constitute a self identity cased greatly upon the perceptions from the hegemonic society. Jeane Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston's historical narrative Farewell to Manzanar (1973) provided an autobiographical account of the Japanese-American internment camps during World War II. Through some poignant moments, Farewell to Manzanar attempst to raise some important concerns about generational issues (Issei and Nissel), gender roles (tradtional and non-traditional), and ethnicity (race reatlions). The following unit of study will focus on integrating the modes of listening. Speaking, reading, and writing through literature-based, interdisciplinary instruction. The aim of the unit will be two-fold; students will be able to develop greater cultural sensitivity to people from another background; students will also be able to discover the psychological and sociological implications (home vs. school culture) regarding biliterate and bicultural issues embedded within the acculturation process though the activities of readingm research, and relfection.

Introduction

Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston's novel, Farewell to Manzanar (1973), discusses the internment of Japanese-American people in a relocation camp from 1943-1945. The autobiographical work reveals, through the eyes of a Japanese American teenage girl, her inner struggle with her identity as a person of the Japanese race living in California during World War II. The novel explores the issues of gender culture, and race as important ideas that help Jeanne Wakatsuki to construct her own sense of identity and self-hood. Specifically, Farewell to Manzanar attempts to raise some significant questions: What is the role of a Japanese woman in the tradtional Japanese society? How does this role shift for a second generation (Nissei) Japanese girl growing up in American? What are the differences between the home culture and school culture? How are these differenceS revealed within the novel through values, customs, and the parent-child relationship? What does it mean for Jeanne to be both biLterate and biculture in American during the 1940's? 1970's? How does Farewell to Manzanar compare to The Diary of Anne Frank? We will focus on such concerns in the framework of the social, historical, and cultural contexts of the times.

Objectives

• The students will read, dicuss and analyze Farewell to Manzanar for these literary elements in the novel: setting, characterization, conflict, plot, point of view, tone, theme.
• The students will relfect on the reading-discussion through whole language activities, such as journal writing, open minds, venn diagrams, critical questions, and essay exams.
• The students will construct a research project (term paper) based upon the historical and social contexts of the works Farewell to Manzanar and The Diary of Anne Frank. The research project will include: an outline, timeline, drawaings, maps, critical book review, term apper, and a list of sources.
• The students will develop greater sensitivity to issues that concern race, gender, and culture through the reading, discussion, research, and student-centered activities.

Autobiography: Immigrants/Relocation

The writing situation: For many people, going to a new place can be an exciting time in their lives; whereas, for others, the arrival at a new and unfamiliar place brings fear. Many people have left their home countries to come to America as a new immigrant. Some have sold all of their possessions and moved to this land of opportunity. Still other new arrivals will make return visits to the home country to visit family and friends.

The writing task: Try to remember the time when you first came to America. What were your feelings and thoughts as you were leaving your homeland, traveling to America, and arriving in the distant and foreign land of the United States? In a 300-500 word-essay, seek to explain your move to America. Consider including the following:

• Introduction: Briefly name and describe the hometown that you left. What did you do to prepare to come to America? Explain and describe who traveled with you to America
• Body: Describe the details of your travel to America. What do you remeber about the plane flight, boat ride, or car on your trip to this country? How did you feel when you first arrived in America? Why? Explain. Why do you think so many people have come and continue to come to America
• Conclusion: Now that you have lived in America for a while, what is the most important lesson you have learned about America? Why? Explain. What have you learned about yourself? What do you miss from your homeland? Why? What are a few differences between your homeland and America? Expalin

Reminders:

• Write in blue/black ink or double space typed on 8 X 11 paper, leave one inch margins at the top, bottom, left, and right.
• Write on one side of the paper only.
• Proofread. Edit for mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation.
• Write name, date, period of essay.
• Provide a title for your essay.

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