Jeanne's Story: California 1940s

Questions and Answers

Where did the story take place?

South California

What does Jeanne's father do?

Jeanne's father is a fisherman; he had a boat called the Nereid which he sailed on with his two sons Bill and Woody.

When did the story take place?

In the 1940s

Why would they just stand there and wave goodbye after the fishers would take off from the island?

It's a way of adding a little good luck to the voyage, or warding off the bad. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Jeanne's father make a deal with the canneries?

He made a deal to pay for the Nereid with percentages of each catch. Signup and view all the answers

What happened as Jeanne's father and the fishers were sailing?

The boat started floating and then someone from the cannery came down and shouted that the Japanese had just bombed Pearl Harbor. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Jeanne's father burn all the papers and documents that showed he had some connection with Japan?

Because at the beginning of the war the FBI was picking up all such men that somehow had contact with enemy ships off the coast. Signup and view all the answers

What happened two weeks later after the bombing?

The FBI took Jeanne's father and they started going to people's homes and questioning them. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Jeanne's father after?

He had been taken into custody and shipped out. Signup and view all the answers

How long was it till Jeanne saw her father?

Almost a year later. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Setting

The story is set in Southern California during the 1940s.

Character Background

Jeanne's father is a fisherman, who owned a boat named the Nereid.
He sailed the Nereid with his two sons, Bill and Woody.

Cultural Practices

Fishermen's families would wave goodbye to departing fishermen, a practice believed to bring good luck or ward off bad omens.

Economic Deal

Jeanne's father made a financial agreement with local canneries, paying for the Nereid through a percentage of their catches.

Historical Context

While sailing, Jeanne’s father and other fishermen learned from a cannery worker that Japan had just bombed Pearl Harbor, marking a pivotal moment in history.

Fear and Actions

In response to the bombing, Jeanne's father burned all documents linking him to Japan due to fears of FBI actions against individuals with Japanese connections.

Government Actions

Two weeks after the bombing, the FBI began rounding up men with Japanese ties, including Jeanne's father, who was taken for questioning.

Consequences

Jeanne's father was ultimately arrested and taken into custody, with the family unaware of his fate for a long period.

Reunion Delay

Jeanne did not see her father for nearly a year following his arrest.

Description

Explore the story of Jeanne and her family's life in Southern California during the pivotal 1940s. Delve into the cultural practices of fishermen's families, the economic challenges they faced, and the historical context surrounding the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This quiz looks at how these events impacted local fishermen and their families.