The American flag symbolizes the victory won by the returning soldiers. However, the stories of the Japanese Americans were uncomfortable for society to hear and were chosen to be forgotten about. The American survivors are treated as heroes while holding white flags of innocence, which is ironic because of how they treated their Japanese American neighbors. Throughout the novel, the color white stands for purity and innocence as well as discrimination and social injustice at the same time. Through the color white, Julie Otsuka uses human experiences to reveal the importance of resilience. The impact of an experience can determine how difficult one’s life can become afterward. White, being symbolized, creates an understanding of the past and the transformation the characters undergo. This transformation highlights the adversity needed to face discrimination and discomfort. The detail provided by Otsuka gives a clear understanding of the effects of discrimination. The resilience found within the characters allows this novel to be inspirational to all who need encouragement and
The American flag symbolizes the victory won by the returning soldiers. However, the stories of the Japanese Americans were uncomfortable for society to hear and were chosen to be forgotten about. The American survivors are treated as heroes while holding white flags of innocence, which is ironic because of how they treated their Japanese American neighbors. Throughout the novel, the color white stands for purity and innocence as well as discrimination and social injustice at the same time. Through the color white, Julie Otsuka uses human experiences to reveal the importance of resilience. The impact of an experience can determine how difficult one’s life can become afterward. White, being symbolized, creates an understanding of the past and the transformation the characters undergo. This transformation highlights the adversity needed to face discrimination and discomfort. The detail provided by Otsuka gives a clear understanding of the effects of discrimination. The resilience found within the characters allows this novel to be inspirational to all who need encouragement and