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Questions and Answers
What happens in April 1942 in Berkeley, California according to the first summary?
What happens in April 1942 in Berkeley, California according to the first summary?
A Japanese American woman begins packing her belongings after reading public signs.
What does the mother do with the cat?
What does the mother do with the cat?
She gives it to her neighbors and kills the dog.
In the second part of the evacuation order summary, what does the daughter feel about her looks?
In the second part of the evacuation order summary, what does the daughter feel about her looks?
She doubts her own looks, but her mother reassures her that she is beautiful.
What is the purpose of Chapter 1?
What is the purpose of Chapter 1?
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What tone is used in Chapter I?
What tone is used in Chapter I?
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What does the daughter recall when she meets Ted Ishomoto?
What does the daughter recall when she meets Ted Ishomoto?
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In Chapter 2, how does the daughter feel about her father's absence?
In Chapter 2, how does the daughter feel about her father's absence?
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What does the son dream about in Chapter 3?
What does the son dream about in Chapter 3?
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What significant event occurs on December 7 for the son?
What significant event occurs on December 7 for the son?
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What do the children find when they return home in Chapter 4?
What do the children find when they return home in Chapter 4?
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What is the father's tone in the confession?
What is the father's tone in the confession?
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Study Notes
Evacuation Order No.19 - Part I
- Set in April 1942 in Berkeley, California, reflecting the emotional turmoil of Japanese American families facing internment.
- The mother begins to prepare for evacuation by packing belongings, purchasing essentials, and dealing with family pets.
- Personal sacrifices include giving away the cat and euthanizing the dog, symbolizing the harsh realities faced by families.
- The mother's thoughts often wander to her husband, who is interned in Texas.
Evacuation Order No.19 - Part II
- Children are instructed to bring only what they can carry, highlighting the abruptness of their situation.
- The mother's tender reassurances to her daughter contrast with the painful realities of losing their home and belongings.
- The family's last moments together reveal a mix of normalcy and despair, culminating in the mother's emotional release.
Purpose of Chapter 1
- Illustrates the ordinary lives of Japanese American families, emphasizing shared experiences and belongings.
- Establishes the setting and context of the internment while conveying the confusion and chaos surrounding their situation.
Tone of Chapter I
- The tone is a complex blend of hopefulness, reflected in the mother's small purchases, and deep sadness as she prepares for the loss of their home and animals.
- It conveys a sense of duty and anxiety, emphasizing the mother's struggles to maintain normalcy while facing the inevitable.
Train - Part I
- Set in September 1942, the daughter recalls their family's journey from the Tanforan racetrack to Utah.
- The old, slow train ride serves as a metaphor for the family's distressed state and lost freedom.
- The daughter's memories of the racetrack and her encounter with Ted Ishimoto illustrate her attempt to find connection amidst chaos.
Train - Part II
- The sibling bond is emphasized as they draw and share cultural memories, hinting at the longing for home.
- The daughter experiences a dream-like state, reflecting her conflicted feelings about their journey and memories of her father.
- The stark arrival in Topaz highlights the harsh reality of internment.
Purpose of Chapter 2
- Acts as a transition, depicting the daughter's naive perspective before and during internment.
- Sets the stage for the later development of characters and the emotional toll of internment.
Tone of Chapter 2
- Displays curiosity and maturity in the daughter's observations during the train journey.
- Reflects inner struggles and resentments, especially regarding her father's absence and her search for identity.
When the Emperor was Divine - Part I
- The son provides insights into the daily life of the family in internment, depicting a sense of displacement and longing for normalcy.
- His whispers about the emperor reflect the confusion surrounding Japanese identity during wartime.
- Memories of letters from his father highlight the family's separation and emotional burden.
When the Emperor was Divine - Part II
- The son grapples with his father's absence while trying to navigate the young life constrained by internment.
- The family's experiences underscore the psychological impacts of their situation, including depression and resilience.
- Speculative thoughts about his father's return embed hope amid despair.
Purpose of Chapter 3
- Chronicles the mundane aspects of life in an internment camp, juxtaposed with the innocent perspective of a child.
- Prepares the reader for a deeper understanding of the emotional and societal changes faced by the characters.
Tone of Chapter 3
- Captures confusion and frustration, portraying the son's struggle with identity and family disintegration amidst internment.
- Reminiscent of youthful dreams and fantasies, illustrating a clash between childhood innocence and harsh realities.
In a Stranger's Backyard - Part I
- The family's return home in autumn reveals the physical and emotional scars of internment.
- Their surroundings reflect neglect and change, symbolizing loss and the struggle to rebuild life after internment.
In a Stranger's Backyard - Part II
- The mother's adaptability to support her family contrasts with the father’s post-internment struggles and silence.
- The children's disconnection from their father underscores the emotional trauma stemming from the internment experience.
Purpose of Chapter 4
- Integrates the family's perspectives, shedding light on their collective experiences upon returning home.
- Offers critical insights into the father's character and his experiences during internment.
Tone of Chapter 4
- Jaded, as the family comes to terms with their circumstances and societal attitudes toward them post-internment.
- Suggests a sense of brainwashing as they grapple with their identities shaped by prejudice and trauma.
Confession
- Written from the father's point of view, satirically confesses to atrocities he never committed, reflecting societal scapegoating of Japanese Americans.
- Represents a critique of the stereotypes and prejudice faced during this era, showcasing his frustration and irony.
Tone of Confession
- Sarcasm pervades the father's confessions, as he highlights the absurdity of the accusations against Japanese Americans.
- Evokes manic energy, revealing his internal turmoil and anger at the unjust treatment endured by his family and community.
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Description
This quiz provides key summaries of chapters from 'When the Emperor was Divine'. Explore important events and perspectives, particularly focusing on the experiences of a Japanese American family during World War II. Test your understanding of the themes and characters within the narrative.
