Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. There are two biological father-son storylines that run parallel to one another in the novel—Henry and his son Marty’s storyline, and Henry and his own father’s.

• What is the overall effect of the author’s decision to structure the novel this way? (topic sentence)
• Compare the relationship between Henry and his father with the relationship between Marty and Henry. How are they the same? How are they different? Can Henry and Sheldon’s relationship be viewed as a father-son one, as well?
• In your conclusion, explain the statement that the novel makes regarding healthy Father-Son Relationships vs. unhealthy ones.

2. Keiko proudly identifies herself as American throughout the novel.

• What does being an American mean to Keiko? (topic sentence)
• What American qualities is Keiko most proud to claim? Provide 2-3 examples.
• In your conclusion, describe how Keiko’s self-identification as an American is at odds with how she is treated by her government and her peers.

3. When the Okabes are imprisoned in the internment camp, they try to keep life as normal as possible for Keiko and the whole family.

• Why do the Okabes abstain from rallying against their circumstances? (topic sentence)
• In what ways do the Okabes try to maintain normalcy throughout their internment experience? Cite specific examples from the text. In your answer, discuss Mr. Okabe’s eagerness to sign the loyalty oath in Chapter 41.
• In your conclusion, summarize how the Okabes are forced to prove their allegiance to the United States in the camp, and how proving their Loyalty is a seemingly impossible task.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Although Henry defies his parents in many ways, in others he is a dutiful son. What are Henry’s parents’ expectations of him to be a “good” son? What does Henry do to show his love and respect for his parents? Consider the nature of Loyalty in the novel, and how Henry’s loyalty is divided between his parents and his friendship with Keiko. What does Henry ultimately decide?

2. For the Asian American characters in the novel, their sense of Being an American is impacted by the fact that the US government does not seem to fully accept them as citizens. Why does Henry’s father reject Japanese Americans, rather than show solidarity with them? Why are Keiko’s parents so accepting of Henry, when, like Henry’s parents, they were born in another country?

3. The theme of Loyalty in the novel is explored in two primary contexts: the loyalty one has toward one’s country and the loyalty one has to one’s partner or family. Henry and Keiko have lived apart for more than 40 years when they reunite at the end. Does Henry’s seeking Keiko out symbolize a betrayal of Ethel? Examine the origins of Henry and Ethel’s relationship in your response. Does Ethel bear some responsibility for separating Henry and Keiko? Does Henry resent her for whatever role she may have played? Discuss your rationale for these questions with evidence from the text.