Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford Book Analysis

At the time when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, around one hundred twenty thousand Japanese Americans were forced to leave their homes and properties, and live in camps during most of the war. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford, explores the experience as a Chinese boy, Henry, during WWII, when racism was at its peak. The novel depicts the friendship between a young Chinese boy and Japanese girl separated by the conflicted society. Henry, born into a family with strong nationalism to China and enmity towards the Japanese, befriends Keiko, who is a Japanese American, greatly disregarding the will of his parents, Mr. Lee and Mrs. Lee. Henry’s loyalty to his friend drives him from being obedient to rebellious, however, unable to escape loneliness.

Henry’s friendship with Keiko changed him from being an obedient son to being rebellious from actions to words. The obedience is visible when Henry is nervous to enter Nihonmochi. Parts of Mr. Lee’s rule for Henry was to not have any interactions with the Japanese Americans, which Henry had followed the expectation. When Henry enters Nihonmochi, he is concerned, which indicates his obedience towards his father, on the other hand, it also describes Henry’s early stages in becoming disobedient. Tension rises between Henry and Mr. Lee when Henry argues “‘I am what you made me, Father.’...’I...am an American’” (Ford 185). With these words, Henry not only makes his position and opinions clear with Mr. Lee, but also declares who is responsible for what he is now. Mr. Lee’s stringent rules were the primary factor separating Henry from his parents, but now Henry shows his feelings, himself is also pushing himself away from his parents. The friction between Henry and Mr. Lee spreads to influence the other characters, evidently, when Henry argues with his mother, Mrs. Lee. Along with the increasing tension between Henry and his father, Henry subsequently pushes Mrs. Lee away from him as well. Mrs. Lee, on the other hand, confesses that she is on Mr. Lee’s side, enlarging the gap between Henry and his parents. One of the obvious changes in Henry’s character before and after meeting Keiko is seen through his interactions with his parents, turning rebellious allows him to strive for greater freedom.

In different stages and settings, Henry experiences loneliness. At home, Henry is detached from his parents. Because of the language barrier, Henry was distant from both his father and mother, since they were not fluent in English. Mr. Lee’s intention was clear, to let Henry fit in with Americans and to keep Henry safe. However, Mr. Lee did not think about the social and emotional consequences of this action, which eventually led to strong disagreement between the two. Ever since Henry got sent to Rainier Elementary, he became a loner at school. Henry’s only friend at the time is Sheldon, who is a street musician, but did not attend school. Henry faces racist classmates and teachers, discriminating against him. Aside from not having friends, Henry also experiences being bullied by Chaz and his friends. Henry got sent to an all white school to fit in with the other American students, which was Mr. Lee’s key reason to send Henry there. But Mr. Lee saw what was only best for him on one side, where on the other side, Henry was alone. Henry's isolation continues at his senior age, where “college also seemed to keep him [Marty] out of Henry’s life” (9). This quote shows that Henry is alone again after Ethel’s death. Since Henry did not talk to Marty as often, Henry was left distant from his son. Henry and Marty’s relationship refers back to Mr. Lee and Henry’s father and son connection, which were similarly separated until later in the story. Although loneliness separates Henry’s relationship with many characters, it allows him to appreciate his connection with other characters in which he is connected to.

The loyalty trait in Henry’s character is revealed through his behavior. A part of his dedication is shaped when Henry promises Keiko to keep her family photos. On Henry’s way home, he faces Chaz and his friends, trying to catch Henry, but Henry still keeps his promise, and manages to bring the photos home. Regardless of knowing that Mr. Lee detests any Japanese cultures and belongings, Henry still carries home Keiko’s family pictures and hides them for her. Knowing he could get in trouble. Henry expresses his devotion by writing “to Keiko, every week” (241). Henry’s loyalty has been illustrated with his patience and passion evidently through writing to Keiko every week, even though none of the letters really got replied. Henry and Keiko’s friendship eventually weakens and fades after time, when neither of them receives letters from each other. Henry’s loyalty is also displayed when he goes to Idaho with Sheldon to find Keiko. Henry travels all the way from Washington to Idaho proves his true loyalty to Keiko, which disregards Mr. Lee’s will, and emphasizes his strong passion for Keiko. During his trip to Idaho, his friendship with Sheldon also strengthens. Additionally, Henry stretches his insight in different aspects of life. Henry’s stubborn loyalty contributes in maintaining him and Keiko’s friendship.

In the novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jamie Ford describes the struggle for living as an Asian during WWII. Similar to the racism Henry face, many of the Chinese Americans during the time also faces discrimination for being mistaken as the Japanese. Though racism has improved since the Japanese internment camp period compared to today, many Japanese Americans still question racism towards them. Although Henry cannot escape his lonely fate, he strives for relationships by being loyal, and turning rebellious to struggle for freedom. 

Works Consulted Page

Ford, Jamie. Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter And Sweet: A Novel. New York : Ballantine Books, 2009. Print.