Farewell to Manzanar Short Essay Assignments

Short Essay Questions

The 60 short essay questions listed in this section require a one to two sentence answer. They ask students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the text. Students must describe what they've read, rather than just recall it.

Short Essay Question - Chapter 1, What is Pearl Harbor?

1. What is the most important day in Jeanne's life? Why?

2. Why does anti-Asian sentiment increase on the West Coast?

3. What does Papa do after learning about Pearl Harbor?

4. Of what is Papa accused? What does this mean for the family?

Short Essay Question - Chapter 2, Shikata Ga Nai

5. How is Jeanne's world turned upside down after the bombing of Pearl Harbor?

6. What happens as all the Japanese American families are forced to leave Terminal...
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