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Native Americans of Puget Sound
“Archaeologists believe that the ancestors of today's Native Americans came to North America from Siberia, entering the Puget Sound region as the glaciers of the last ice age receded”(https://www.historylink.org/). “Its members were murdered almost immediately upon setting foot on the beach by a party of Nootka slave raiders”(Guterson 17). Guterson uses imagery to show the reader what it was like when the settlers first set foot on the land. Photo from suquamish.nsn.us -
European Settlers of Puget Sound
"In 1792, George Vancouver discovered and named Puget Sound and claimed the area for Britain"(Ducksters, www.ducksters.com/. ). “Settlers arrived—mostly wayward souls and eccentrics who had meandered off the Oregon Trail”(Guterson 17). Guterson uses anthropomorphism to explain the origin of these immigrants. Photo by Jmcalpin -
Alien Land Laws
“Land Law of 1913 prohibiting aliens ineligible for citizenship from owning land, and adding a prohibition against aliens ineligible for citizenship from possessing long-term leases.”(Densho Encyclopedia). “They were from Japan, both of them born there, and there was this law on the books prevented them”(Guterson 219). The author uses dialogue to show Etta's deceit towards Japanese Americans, which also illustrates the status of Japanese Americans at that time. Photo from Densho -
Military recruitment and propaganda during World War II
"Once U.S. troops were sent to the front lines, hundreds of artists were put to work to create posters that would rally support on the home front"(History.com). "They could have used his face for one of their propaganda films—he’s that inscrutable"(Guterson 607). Gyterson uses dialogue to illustrate that Miyamoto's calmness during the trial seemed more like arrogance to others. Photo from History.com -
Pearl Harbor
"In1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes descended on the base, where they managed to destroy or damage nearly 20 American naval vessels..."(History.com). "The Japanese are attacking all over the place, not just Pearl Harbor. They’re making raids all over the Pacific Ocean. Roosevelt is going to declare war today..."(Guterson). Gyterson uses Foreshadowing to suggest the subsequent war between Japan and the United States. Photo from History.com -
Japanese American Internment
"From 1942 to 1945, it was the policy of the U.S. government that people of Japanese descent would be interred in isolated camps"(History.com). “The cold in the stalls worked into their bones, and when it rained that night they moved their cots because of the leaks in the roof ”(Guterson 387). Guterson uses imagery to describe the dilapidated living conditions in the internment camps at that time to reflect the unfair treatment suffered by Japanese Americans. Photo from History.com -
Battle of Tarawa
"In the Battle of Tarawa during World War II, the U.S. began its Central Pacific Campaign against Japan by seizing the heavily fortified..."(History.com). "On Tarawa he had seen the bodies of men who had died facedown in shallow water. The warm tides had washed over them for days..."(Guterson 95). Guterson uses imagery to describe the scenes on the battlefield, which reflects the cruelty of the war. Photo from historynet.com -
Dear John Letter (day before Battle of Normandy)
"the Battle of Normandy, which lasted from June 1944 to August 1944, resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control"(History.com). "I knew we could never be right together and that soon I would have to tell you so"(Guterson 623). Guterson uses dialogue to show the reader Hatsue's changing feelings for Ishmael, from being in love at the beginning to now wanting to end their relationship. Photo from en.normandie-tourisme.fr -
Battle of Okinawa
"On April 1, 1945—Easter Sunday—the Navy’s Fifth Fleet and more than 180,000 U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps troops descended on the Pacific island of Okinawa for a final push towards Japan"(History.com). "Carl Heine was dead. Terrible thing, wasn’t it? The man had survived Okinawa"(Guterson 57). The author uses dialogue here to show the surprise of people on the island over Carl's death. Photo from History.com -
Pearl Harbor Memorial
"The USS Arizona Memorial is built over the remains of the sunken battleship USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmen killed on December 7, 1941..."(www.pearlharborhistoricsites.org). “A bombing raid. The Japanese air force has bombed everything. It is bad for us...”(Guterson 316). The author uses dialogue here, which reflects that at that time, Japanese Americans were very afraid that the Pearl Harbor attack would affect their normal life. Photo from nps.gov