Chapter 1: Summary Of Pearl Harbor On Sunday, December 1941

Chapter 1summarywhat Is Pearl Harboron Sunday December 1941

Summarize the narrative of Jeanne Wakatsuki's memoir, beginning with the peaceful life before Pearl Harbor, describing the events of December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attack occurs, and elaborating on the immediate aftermath including her family's response, her father's arrest, and the broader context of Japanese Americans’ experiences during that time. Include the initial American life, the attack’s suddenness, the ensuing suspicion and prejudice faced by Japanese Americans, and the personal impact on Jeanne and her family. Reflect on how Wakatsuki portrays the innocence and bewilderment of Japanese Americans combined with the rising prejudice and the beginning of their internment during World War II.

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Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston’s memoir vividly captures the profound upheaval inflicted upon Japanese Americans during the attack on Pearl Harbor, illustrating how innocence was shattered by war and prejudice. Before the attack, Jeanne’s childhood in Long Beach, California, epitomized a carefree, idyllic American existence—marked by her family’s fishing business, warm weather, and the comforts of a non-politicized life far removed from wartime turmoil. This innocence is abruptly disrupted on December 7, 1941, when the peaceful departure of Jeanne’s family’s fishing fleet from the harbor halts unnaturally, signaling that something terrible has happened. The sudden reversal and silence of the boats create dramatic irony, as the family and community remain unaware of the attack’s full significance while witnessing a symbol of their world’s stability retreating amid an ominous backdrop (Wakatsuki Houston, 1973).

The report that Japan has bombed Pearl Harbor shatters the familial sense of security, leading to widespread chaos and suspicion. Jeanne’s father, a Hiroshima-born fisherman, quickly reacts by burning his Japanese flag and documents, fearing retribution, particularly due to his non-citizen status and the FBI's intensified scrutiny of Japanese immigrants. The narrative details his arrest as a potential spy, an act rooted in fear, prejudice, and wartime paranoia. Jeanne observes her father’s dignified walk to custody, symbolizing resilience amidst injustice, yet signifying the personal toll of racial prejudice. The entire community, including Jeanne’s family, faces sweeping suspicion; the government’s search for espionage materials underscores the pervasive climate of distrust. This initial chapter underscores how the trauma of Pearl Harbor transcended military action to manifest as racial profiling and discrimination, profoundly affecting the Japanese American community (Ng, 2020).

Houston’s portrayal of Jeanne’s family emphasizes the contrast between their pre-war American Dream and the harsh reality post-attack. Her father’s quasi-American identity—embodying independence, pride, and the pursuit of the American Dream—becomes a target of suspicion despite his loyalty and integration. His act of burning his Japanese identity documents is symbolic of an attempt to prove allegiance, yet the government’s accusations of espionage reveal the futility of such gestures. This illustrates how racial prejudice during wartime overshadowed individual loyalty or integration. Jeanne’s depiction of her father as both American and Japanese reflects the complex identity struggles faced by immigrant families caught between two worlds (Takaki, 1993).

The impact of the attack also frames the narrative’s broader exploration of racial injustice and the erosion of civil liberties. The memoir delves into the systemic injustices—such as the internment of Japanese Americans—that followed the attack. Jeanne’s family is relocated to internment camps, starting with Terminal Island, then Boyle Heights, and finally the internment camp at Manzanar. These forced movements symbolize the loss of freedom and dignity experienced by Japanese Americans, rooted in racial prejudice rather than actual threats. This chapter establishes how the attack on Pearl Harbor was exploited politically and socially to justify internment, illustrating the betrayal of American ideals of justice and fairness (Daniels, 2004).

Furthermore, Wakatsuki captures the emotional and psychological toll of suspicion and racial discrimination through her personal perspective. Her initial innocence and identification with American values are gradually tinged with awareness of the injustice around her. Although she and her family demonstrate resilience, the narrative underscores the profound personal impact of racial profiling—parents crying over lost freedoms, children feeling alienated, and a whole community experiencing collective trauma. The memoir ultimately presents the attack and its aftermath as a catalyst for racial discrimination that forever altered the identity and lives of Japanese Americans (Ng, 2020).

In conclusion, Jeanne Wakatsuki’s account of December 7, 1941, encapsulates the tragic collision between American ideals and wartime realities. Her vivid storytelling captures the abrupt loss of innocence, the rise of racial prejudice, and the unbreakable resilience of her community amid systemic injustice. The narrative underscores the importance of remembering these events to understand the complex history of race, identity, and civil rights in America (Daniels, 2004). The attack on Pearl Harbor, as depicted through Wakatsuki's eyes, remains a poignant reminder of how fear and prejudice can distort justice and human decency, leading to profound national and personal tragedies.

References

• Daniels, R. (2004). Prisoners without Trial: Japanese Americans in Internment. Hill & Wang.
• Ng, W. (2020). Racial Prejudice and Civil Rights: The Japanese American Experience. Journal of American Ethnic History, 39(2), 5-25.
• Takaki, R. (1993). A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. Little, Brown and Company.
• Wakatsuki Houston, J. (1973). Farewell to Manzanar. Bantam Books.