English | Assignment | Compare-and-Contrast Essay
Assignment
Compare-and-Contrast Essay
Write a four to five paragraph compare-and-contrast essay that addresses how Jeannie changes over the course
of Farewell to Manzanar. The final draft of your essay should include the following:
A topic that is appropriate for a compare-and-contrast essay
A clear and arguable thesis statement that relates to the essay prompt
2–3 body paragraphs that each feature a supporting claim, evidence from the text as support, and only
relevant information that contributes to your argument
Either the point-by-point or block method of organization
Use of transitions to reflect the method of organization you select
Evidence of revision to improve unity and coherence, as well as to address modifier errors
Three vocabulary words from this unit
Remember to submit your point-by-point or block graphic organizer and first draft with your final paper.
Jeannie’s Transformation in Farewell to Manzanar
In the book Farewell to Manzanar, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston shows how her character changes as she
goes through tough experiences during the Japanese-American internment in World War II. At the start of the
story, Jeannie is a young girl who is mostly focused on herself. But by the end of the story, she becomes more
aware of the struggles her family faces and grows into a more thoughtful and mature person. This happens
because of the hardships she faces at Manzanar, the internment camp where her family is sent.
At the beginning of the story, Jeannie is a young girl who doesn’t understand the full impact of what is
happening to her family. When they first arrive at Manzanar, she is confused and scared, but she doesn’t realize
how much their lives are being affected. For example, when Jeannie’s father is arrested, she is upset, but she
doesn’t fully know why it’s happening. She still holds on to her childhood innocence and doesn’t yet know what
being Japanese-American means in the context of World War II.
As time goes on in the internment camp, Jeannie starts to change. She becomes more aware of the
unfairness around her and begins to understand the difficulties her family faces. For example, she begins to
notice how people in the camp are treated differently because of their race, and this makes her feel confused and
angry. One key moment of change is when she sees her father’s emotional breakdown after being treated
unfairly, and she starts to understand how difficult life in the camp is for her family. She begins to lose some of her
childhood innocence and grows more aware of the challenges they face.
By the end of the book, Jeannie has grown into a more mature young woman who understands her
family’s struggles. After leaving the camp, she no longer sees the world with the same innocence. She realizes
that her experiences in the camp have shaped her into someone who is stronger and more aware of her identity
as a Japanese-American. For example, when she is older, she understands the importance of her heritage and
the effects the internment had on her family. She becomes more empathetic and learns to embrace who she is,
despite the hardships she faced.
In conclusion, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston’s Farewell to Manzanar shows how Jeannie changes from a
young girl who doesn’t understand her circumstances to a young woman who becomes more aware of the
challenges her family faces. Her time at the internment camp forces her to grow up and realize the importance of
identity, family, and resilience. By the end of the story, Jeannie is no longer the same person she was at the
beginning, and this transformation is an important part of her journey.
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English | Assignment | Compare-and-Contrast Essay
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