Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Discussion
Speak Your American (1942) – Hello Hello (1942); p. 45-96
1. Why is Henry not really accepted by either his white peers at school or his Chinese ones at home? How do you think this affects Henry?
2. What is the silver lining about going to Rainier?
3. Why does Henry like jazz?
4. What do Henry and Keiko have to do to be able to sit inside the club? Why? Do you think it was right to ask children to do this?
5. What happens as they are leaving the club? Why? What does Oscar mean when he makes his comment about leaving the South?
6. What does Keiko tell Henry as they are leaving? Why is this ironic in the context of war and fear of spies?
7. What relationship does Henry compare his relationship with Marty to? How is Henry and Marty’s relationship actually different though?
8. How does Henry’s view on the arrests of the Japanese differ from those of his father? Why? Would Henry’s father understand if he explained what Keiko had said to him at the club?
9. What is burning in Nihonmachi? Why? Will this make any difference in regards to the Executive Order?
10. Why is Henry stunned that he is placed in the same category as “Yay-yay”? Connect this question with #7.
11. What does Henry realize about how Marty thinks of him as a father? How does he feel about that? How does Henry feel about Samantha and her knowledge of his life?
12. What does Henry do while he is translating between the two men? Is this a betrayal of the trust his father has placed in him? If so, why does Henry do what he does?
13. Who calls Henry? How does Henry get out to meet her? What does she ask of Henry? Why?
What questions do you have for the group? Thought provoking questions will improve your discussion score.