November 26, 1942
Ever since Papa’s return to our family hierarchy, he has culminated a determinate lust for wine. No matter what day it comes to be or what hour of revolution, he perches a thin vile on the brink of his lips, and sips until he drowns into absolute oblivion.
With the number of women that claim attendance in Manzanar, an everlasting stream of gossip slips from one mouth to another, until the line between truth and tale merges into one incredulous story. Yet, lately the rumors of the "Manzanar runs" have shifted to another bauble, only this time Papa finds himself esconced in the hushed whispers.
In the derogatory comments directed toward him, Papa is often identified as an "inu", or a collaborator sidled with the United States. Since Papa had been released from Fort Lincoln earlier than most of the Japanese men convicted of treason, many believed he had leaked access information about his fellow Isseis in an attempt to propel his release.
When Mama casually informed Papa of the accusations aimed toward his background, his temper flared even when she tried to placate the threats that spontaneously spilled from his mouth.
"I'm going to kill you this time!" He cried deafeningly.
"Why don't you?" Mama sobbed hysterically, "No one can live like this."
As Mama gradually calmed and regained her wits, her composure plagued me with a sudden strike of fear; it seemed as if her anguish had overcome what she dreaded of death, and that her heart had finally decided to capitulate to the man she had once trusted and endeared.
The moment of suspense hung limply in midair, and though I watched, my eyes disbelieved the truth behind this moment and what the end would bring.
At this turning point, Kiyo tore the covers off his cot and plunged straight toward Papa, his eyes widened with shock and a queer spark of sadness. In spite of our struggles to stay together, were we not a family? Did we not fight for our dreams as a whole?
When I heard the resounding crack reverberate throughout the steps of our threshold, I tilted my head up to see Papa's nose crimson with rippling blood and the tail of Kiyo's shirt as he sprinted hastily out the door.
When the world begins to fall apart, who do you look towards? In reality, you have been isolated, and you can only weigh the impressing burdens upon yourself.
In the derogatory comments directed toward him, Papa is often identified as an "inu", or a collaborator sidled with the United States. Since Papa had been released from Fort Lincoln earlier than most of the Japanese men convicted of treason, many believed he had leaked access information about his fellow Isseis in an attempt to propel his release.
When Mama casually informed Papa of the accusations aimed toward his background, his temper flared even when she tried to placate the threats that spontaneously spilled from his mouth.
"I'm going to kill you this time!" He cried deafeningly.
"Why don't you?" Mama sobbed hysterically, "No one can live like this."
As Mama gradually calmed and regained her wits, her composure plagued me with a sudden strike of fear; it seemed as if her anguish had overcome what she dreaded of death, and that her heart had finally decided to capitulate to the man she had once trusted and endeared.
The moment of suspense hung limply in midair, and though I watched, my eyes disbelieved the truth behind this moment and what the end would bring.
At this turning point, Kiyo tore the covers off his cot and plunged straight toward Papa, his eyes widened with shock and a queer spark of sadness. In spite of our struggles to stay together, were we not a family? Did we not fight for our dreams as a whole?
When I heard the resounding crack reverberate throughout the steps of our threshold, I tilted my head up to see Papa's nose crimson with rippling blood and the tail of Kiyo's shirt as he sprinted hastily out the door.
When the world begins to fall apart, who do you look towards? In reality, you have been isolated, and you can only weigh the impressing burdens upon yourself.
Often taunted by the Japanese as "inu," a JACL member carries cabbage from the farming fields.
What larger truths about the world or life does Farewell to Manzanar reveal through Papa?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete