Characters
Jeanne Wakatsuki - main character.
The narrator is the youngest of the Wakatsuki children and Papa's favorite. She was born in America and is referred to as Nisei (second generation). She leads us thru her book with her observations, comments, and her experiences as well as her family's before, during, and after their imprisonment at Manzanar. In the beginning, she is a naive 7 years old girl, but as she grows older, she understands the true nature of the camps, her family, and herself.
Papa (George Ko Wakatsuki) - main character.
Jeanne's father, and the first generation Japanese immigrant, Issei, with strong sense of honor. After 35 years in the U.S., he was still prevented by law from earning his American citizenship. With unfair accusations, he was separated from his family for a year. When he returns to his family at Manzanar, he becomes an alcoholic. His relationship with his family deteriorates during their time in Manzanar. He hold on to his self respect and dreams and whatever he did, he did with flourish.
Mama (Rigu Sukai Wakatsuki) - main character.
Jeanne's mother, a typical Japanese woman, wife, and mother. She struggles to reconcile camp living with being a Japanese who places high value on privacy and dignity. Despite her husband's violent behavior while in Manzanar, she is the first member of the family to amend with Papa. she is patient and caring for her family.
Woodrow "Woody" Wakatsuki - main character.
The third Wakatsuki child. He takes charge of the family when Papa is detained for a year at Fort Lincoln. He is loyal to America by joining the U.S. Army. He is always sure of his identity as an American and his responsibly to his family. His difference with his father is showed in their frequent arguments.
Kiyo Wakatsuki - supporting character.
The ninth Wakatsuki child and Jeanne's closest brother. He shares many experiences with Jeanne including being ambushed by rough kids in Terminal Island and being spat at by an old lady, and called a "dirty Jap" in Long Beach.
Eleanor Wakatsuki - supporting character.
The second Wakatsuki child and Jeanne's oldest sister. Eleanor leaves camp with her husband but returns later when her husband is drafted. She gives birth to a baby boy, that leads the reconciliation of Mama and Papa.
Bill Wakatsuki - supporting character.
The oldest Wakatsuki child. Along with Woody, he works on Papa's sardine boat before the war. In the camp, he is a leader of a dance band called the Jive Bombers.
Kaz - supporting character.
Jeanne's brother-in-law and Martha 's husband. He is accused of sabotage by the military police while monitoring the reservoir with his crew on the night of the December riot.
Aunt Toyo - supporting character.
Papa's aging aunt in Hiroshima, Japan. Woody visits her after the war and impresses by the dignity of her graceful manner and by the sumptuous meal she offers despite of her poverty.
Radine - supporting character.
Jeanne's white best friend at Cabrillo Homes in Long Beach after the war. Radine's surprise at Jeanne's ability to speak English makes Jeanne recognize the difference between Radine and her, who Japanese face always makes her an outsider. Jeanne realizes that prejudice is not always open and direct.
Leonard Rodriguez - supporting character.
Jeanne's classmate at her high school in San Jose. He helps Jeanne win their Spring Carnival queen. His friendship contrasts with their teachers inherent prejudice against Japanese people.
Interrogator - supporting character.
The American military man who questions Papa at Fort Lincoln, North Dakota. His questions and accusations on Papa represent the government tendency to stereotype Japanese Americans as traitors.
Chizu - supporting character.
Woody's wife. Chizu is on the warf with Jeanne and Mama when the news of the attack on Pearl Harbar reaches the Wakatsuki.
Granny - supporting character.
Mama's mother. She is sixty five years old at the time of the relocation to Manzanar. Granny's inability to go to eat in the mess hall is one of the reason that the Wakatsuki family stops eat together.
Fred Tayama - supporting character.
A leader of the Japanese American Citizens Leage. On December 5,1942, being suspected as a collaborator with the government, he is severely beaten. The arrest of his attackers leads to the December Riot at Manzanar.
Mitsue Endo, Fred Korematsu, Gordon Hirabayashi
A Japanese Americans whose Supreme Court cases lead to the closing of all internment camps in 1944 and 1945. Read more about the cases at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_American_redress_and_court_cases
The narrator is the youngest of the Wakatsuki children and Papa's favorite. She was born in America and is referred to as Nisei (second generation). She leads us thru her book with her observations, comments, and her experiences as well as her family's before, during, and after their imprisonment at Manzanar. In the beginning, she is a naive 7 years old girl, but as she grows older, she understands the true nature of the camps, her family, and herself.
Papa (George Ko Wakatsuki) - main character.
Jeanne's father, and the first generation Japanese immigrant, Issei, with strong sense of honor. After 35 years in the U.S., he was still prevented by law from earning his American citizenship. With unfair accusations, he was separated from his family for a year. When he returns to his family at Manzanar, he becomes an alcoholic. His relationship with his family deteriorates during their time in Manzanar. He hold on to his self respect and dreams and whatever he did, he did with flourish.
Mama (Rigu Sukai Wakatsuki) - main character.
Jeanne's mother, a typical Japanese woman, wife, and mother. She struggles to reconcile camp living with being a Japanese who places high value on privacy and dignity. Despite her husband's violent behavior while in Manzanar, she is the first member of the family to amend with Papa. she is patient and caring for her family.
Woodrow "Woody" Wakatsuki - main character.
The third Wakatsuki child. He takes charge of the family when Papa is detained for a year at Fort Lincoln. He is loyal to America by joining the U.S. Army. He is always sure of his identity as an American and his responsibly to his family. His difference with his father is showed in their frequent arguments.
Kiyo Wakatsuki - supporting character.
The ninth Wakatsuki child and Jeanne's closest brother. He shares many experiences with Jeanne including being ambushed by rough kids in Terminal Island and being spat at by an old lady, and called a "dirty Jap" in Long Beach.
Eleanor Wakatsuki - supporting character.
The second Wakatsuki child and Jeanne's oldest sister. Eleanor leaves camp with her husband but returns later when her husband is drafted. She gives birth to a baby boy, that leads the reconciliation of Mama and Papa.
Bill Wakatsuki - supporting character.
The oldest Wakatsuki child. Along with Woody, he works on Papa's sardine boat before the war. In the camp, he is a leader of a dance band called the Jive Bombers.
Kaz - supporting character.
Jeanne's brother-in-law and Martha 's husband. He is accused of sabotage by the military police while monitoring the reservoir with his crew on the night of the December riot.
Aunt Toyo - supporting character.
Papa's aging aunt in Hiroshima, Japan. Woody visits her after the war and impresses by the dignity of her graceful manner and by the sumptuous meal she offers despite of her poverty.
Radine - supporting character.
Jeanne's white best friend at Cabrillo Homes in Long Beach after the war. Radine's surprise at Jeanne's ability to speak English makes Jeanne recognize the difference between Radine and her, who Japanese face always makes her an outsider. Jeanne realizes that prejudice is not always open and direct.
Leonard Rodriguez - supporting character.
Jeanne's classmate at her high school in San Jose. He helps Jeanne win their Spring Carnival queen. His friendship contrasts with their teachers inherent prejudice against Japanese people.
Interrogator - supporting character.
The American military man who questions Papa at Fort Lincoln, North Dakota. His questions and accusations on Papa represent the government tendency to stereotype Japanese Americans as traitors.
Chizu - supporting character.
Woody's wife. Chizu is on the warf with Jeanne and Mama when the news of the attack on Pearl Harbar reaches the Wakatsuki.
Granny - supporting character.
Mama's mother. She is sixty five years old at the time of the relocation to Manzanar. Granny's inability to go to eat in the mess hall is one of the reason that the Wakatsuki family stops eat together.
Fred Tayama - supporting character.
A leader of the Japanese American Citizens Leage. On December 5,1942, being suspected as a collaborator with the government, he is severely beaten. The arrest of his attackers leads to the December Riot at Manzanar.
Mitsue Endo, Fred Korematsu, Gordon Hirabayashi
A Japanese Americans whose Supreme Court cases lead to the closing of all internment camps in 1944 and 1945. Read more about the cases at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_American_redress_and_court_cases