ESL Class Contributions

ESL 540R with Michael Larsen

Yao Fu

It is a not well-known story but it is a moving story. The writer used the simple and pure language to describe family's experience. They had a such a hard time in Manzanar, but they didn't give up. They used their skill to support themselves. Their life is hopeful. The story shows their brave spirit.

Satoko Williams

In this story people can survive through outrageous circumstances. I think after all of this experience they can confront any tough situation.

Tranganh, Vo

Although I was not born in the war, I heard a lot of things about the war because my parents were born and grew up in the Vietnam. I know that the life in the war is so awful. Farewell to Manzanar is like a personal story, however I think it is like a story which is not only for the young Japanese to remind about their history, but also it tells many people from all around the world that we have to be against war.

Hanan Kheshen

The Wakatsuki family like many other families have to leave their home behind and they became lost and afraid. The life of the Japanese American in the camp was unbearable. They were regular citizens and not in the Japanese army, so they did not deserve to be punished in that way. I also felt really bad that the women and the children had had to live in such terrible condition, with no privacy, little warm clothes, and spoiled food. However, I admire their courage and their ability to deal with all difficulty they faced and even tried to make the best out of their situation.

Van Vu – Vivian

"Farewell to Manzanar" gives me the feeling of sympathy for the fate of the immigrants in the US. Although they spent most of their life in the US, they were still alien and were prevented by law from being American. It means they have no right. Then these innocent people was charged with the thing that they did not do just because they are Japanese and the land of their birth was at war with America. Their life changed so much when they were put in camp like a prison and they had to try to adjust the new environment in order to survive. They were hurt to recognize that their life in camp was like an animal's life, but they had no choice. When they got used to life in camp, the government decided to close the camp. They had to move again and that time they also had to face racism and prejudice. It is really hard and sad for those people who do not have home to return to and how they can integrate into the society where public opinion is against them. I feel sorry for Jeanne's family who had to overcome a lot of great and hard change. The story make me wonder about my life as an immigrant in the US, too. I don't have the same right like American citizen, but does America welcome me in the future or do I have to face such problems like the family in the story had?

Riina Yamazoe

I’m Japanese and I’m from Japan, but I didn’t know about Manzanar before and Ii don’t think I had learned about it in school, so it is interesting to learn about that camp life. It is hard to believe that this is the true story.

Thoa Doan

It is really sad that how American treated those poor Japanese people when they had no home and no where to go. It was discrimination. The Japanese just wanted to have a normal life and to be legal in USA during the war, but they couldn't even though Jeanne's papa had spent 35 years in America. It is also a bell to wake everybody not to have prejudice between people and to treat people fairly and well as you treat yourself.