Chapter 20, A Double Impulse Summary and Analysis

Jeanne's return to school and life in the outside world is difficult. She is forced to face the alienation caused by her Japanese heritage As Jeanne starts sixth grade that fall, she sits quietly until her teacher calls on her to read that first afternoon. An innocent remark of surprise that Jeanne is able to speak English, introduces her to the shame of being Japanese. She discovers a double impulse: she wants to be invisible, and she wants to be accepted.

Jeanne finds that she can be easily accepted in academic activities. However, she is not as readily accepted in social activities. She is rejected, and when rejected she perceives it as though it is her fault. She is not totally happy with her academic successes, or her participation on the yearbook staff. She wants...