Jeanne Wakatsuki's Farewell To Manzanar

While others found tragedy in their family separating, Jeanne Wakatsuki found bliss. In, Farewell to Manzanar, despite the difficulties other Japanese Americans had to face, Jeanne found herself amidst the chaos. When she and her family first arrived, staying together was their only priority. However, over time this goal diminished. Jeanne’s father, Papa, began drinking into oblivion which led to the downfall of their bond. Years later, Jeanne discovered, despite the division in her family, she was able to find peace among herself.

Making a life at Manzanar was a major adjustment for the Wakatsukis and many other Japanese Americans. Before families were placed into internment camps, separation began. Families consulted one another on how

This is when Jeanne was about to truly discover who she was. Jeanne Wakatsuki was able to attend high school and participate in school activities. While attending, she became nominated for Carnival Queen. The nomination came as a surprise, but an even bigger shock when she won. While walking down to accept her crown, she realized, “I never wanted to change my face or to be someone other than myself” (123). Acceptance was all that Jeanne longed for. She didn’t want to have to change herself to please others when the only person she needed to please was already satisfied, herself. Winning Carnival Queen opened Jeanne up to self-acceptance; she continued this attitude throughout her life. While she visited Manzanar with her family years later, she reflects on her experience. She admits to herself that, “until this trip, I had not been able to admit that my own life really began there” (140). Papa and others may have lost themselves, but Jeanne found her true love for being a Japanese American. To her, hardships were worth the outcome. Separation helped Jeanne understand the meaning of being your own person, and she was able to accept that she was not like everyone