Farewell to Manzanar

Chapter 11

In December 1942 (Chapter 11, “Yes Yes No No”), the administration of the Manzanar camp gave each family a Christmas tree as an apology for the difficulties that had led to the riot earlier in the month. Why do you think camp authorities chose a Christmas tree? What would this donation have meant to you?

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I think the Christmas tree was a symbol of the assimilation that the government demanded of the Japanese. They purposely gave them a symbol of Christianity and white America veiled as a gift. This makes the Japanese feel even more isolated and unwelcome.

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