1) Identify and briefly define important words, terms, concepts, or characters.
Ichiro- Ichiro is the main character in the novel No-no boy, by John Okada. Ichiro had been in prison for two years because he refused to fight in the war and fight for America. He has returned to Seattle only to find that his mother still believes that Japan won the war. He is also scolded by many of his peers, for not fighting in the war because they felt that Ichiro cheated his way out of it.
Mrs. Yamada- Mrs. Yamada is Ichiro’s mother who still believes that Japan was victorious in the war. She has hopes of returning to Japan and continue to live a good life there. She feels no regret for refusing to let her son, Ichiro, to go into the army and fight for America. She feels that one should stick up for one’s country and act as a true Japanese.
Mr. Yamada- Mr. Yamada is Ichiro’s father who somewhat tries to understand Ichiro. He’s supportive of Ichiro and tells him that in time, things will get better. Unlike his wife, Mr. Yamada knows and believes that Japan is in turmoil and many of his family members are suffering. He wants to send them food, but he has to much respect for his wife, to go behind her back and send it. Mrs. Yamada refuses to believe the suffering of her family in Japan, even with evidence of letters form her aunts and sister. She believes that it is all a scam and disregards the letters.
Kenji- Kenji is Ichiro’s friend who fought in the war. He had to have his leg amputated because of complications that occurred in the war. Kenji connects with Ichiro in that they both feel like outsiders that don’t belong. Kenji says that he doesn’t have much time to live because every couple of weeks he has to go to the hospital and amputate additional inches of his leg. In a way, Kenji is Ichiro’s guide that leads Ichiro out of his regret and anguish.
Taro- Taro is Ichiro’s younger brother who feels embarrassed that his brother refused to fight in the war. Taro is angry at Ichiro and traps Ichiro into getting beat up by his friends. Taro’s friends beat up Ichiro while he was drunk. Taro feels that he has to finish the job that his older brother had not. He signs up to serve in the army even though his mom would become very upset. Taro wants to prove that he is an American and thus, does not care too much for his family’s feelings.
Emi- Emi is Kenji’s friend. Her husband Ralph went to fight in the war without telling Emi. Kenji and Ralph met while they were serving in the army, and Ralph told Kenji to send Emi a message that Ralph won’t be coming back for a while. Ralph’s brother, who lived in America for many years, was treated unfairly during the war; he moved back to Japan, and now, Ralph is ashamed of his brother, and is ashamed to come back to Emi. Kenji introduced Ichiro to Emi, and Emi tried to soothe Ichiro’s feelings, telling him that he’s just as good as any other Japanese American. Emi is, and feels alone just like Ichiro except their situations are a bit different.
2) Summarize the main idea, theme, action, or event of the reading. Be sure to include quotation that best captures the overall feeling or mood of the reading.
In comparison, the views of the first and second Japanese generations are different from each other most of the time; conflict and differences arise because the younger generation grew up in America and obviously became influenced by the American way. The older generation, on the other hand, still keep the Japanese lifestyle of living. After living in America for so many years, Ichiro’s parents still do not speak and understand English all that well. The older generation came to America in hopes of making money and moving back to Japan, but their plans did not work out according to plan. Ichiro says to himself while laying down his mother on the bed that
Another theme this book is marked by is it’s obsession with disloyalty, insecurity, surveillance, and confession. The Japanese youths that served on the war want to prove their loyalty to America. They feel that people like Ichiro who haven’t served in the war are not loyal to America and have no right to act freely. Many Japanese, like Gary and Ichiro, who have not gone to war, feel deeply insecure. Ichiro even tells Mr. Carrick that he isn’t a veteran. Ichiro feels that he shouldn’t receive fair treatment form anyone just because he didn’t go to the war.
In the end, Ichiro overcomes his battle, obstacle, and sorrow. He beats up Bull, who represents his barrier that wouldn’t let Ichiro move on. Ichiro was able to break that hurdle and come to recognize that he is not to blame himself and feel lonesome because in fact, it is the Japanese that went to the war who feel lonesome. They are just picking on vulnerable people like Ichiro to make themselves feel better. In the last chapter, Bull begins to cry and shows that he too is lonesome in despair; he was just disguising it all this time. Bull represents the majority of the Japanese population. Many of the Japanese tried to prove their loyalty in joining the war so that they could be accepted in America. Brave Japanese like Freddie and Ichiro were scolded and were made fun of because they refused to go to the war. In the end, every one of them (Japanese) had emptiness deep down inside them;
3) Formulate a question for discussion. The question should be relatively substantial, based upon a specified passage or scene from the text, and capable of sustaining a thoughtful discussion.
Was Ichiro able to fully find his identity?
What exactly led Ichiro to fight Bull? And who or what was Ichiro’s burden all this time?
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