Henry

Analyzing Character Development

By: Devin, Olivia and Emerson
Quote 1.

”Henry, on the other hand, couldn’t even find Nanjing on a map.” (Page 20)

Henry not being able to find Nanjing on a map (a city in China) demonstrates a
disconnect between himself and his culture. This disconnect effects Henry’s
attempt at communication with other because Henry does not know alot about his
culture heritage, however when he communicates with other people he still faces
discrimination due to his heritage.
Quote 2
“So you weren’t born in China?” He shook his head again, pointing to First Hill,
where Columbus Hospital stood on the outskirts of Chinatown. “I was born right up
there.” She smiled. “That’s where I was born too. I'm Japanese. But American
first.”
In chapter 6 of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Henry learns that despite
Keiko being born in the America, her Japanese heritage forces her to have to deal
with the anti-Japanese agenda in the U.S. Although Henry had experienced
discrimination for his entire life, in this chapter he sees the fear that Keiko has for
her family, and her peoples futures in a country that is taking strides to diminish
the presence of Japanese culture.
Quote 3
““M-Ming bak?” Henry asked in perfect Cantonese. “I don’t understand.” His father
slapped his face. More of a light tap really, just something to get his attention. “No
more. Only speak you American.””(Ford, 12).

In chapter 3, I am Chinese, of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, There is

tension between Henry and his father because of Henry speaking Cantonese.
Henry’s father wants him to move on and away from their past life and forward to
be true Americans. Henry partly feels that when his parents try to make him more
American that he is losing a part of his identity.
Quote 4

“I. Don’t. Speak. Japanese.” Keiko burst out laughing. “They don’t even teach it
anymore at the Japanese school.“ (Page 32)

In chapter 6, the main character tries to perform a nice gesture by speaking to

Keiko in Japanese. However, Henry assuming that Keiko spokes Japanese’s
demonstrates Henry cultural stereotyping Keiko based off of her culture heritage.
This is ironic because people judging Henry off of cultural stereotypes is a
common theme throughout the story.
Quote 5
“Maybe that’s what this is for, Henry thought, looking at the ridiculous button that read “I
am Chinese.” Thanks, Dad, why not just put a sign on my back that says “Kick me” while
your at it.”(Ford, 13).

In chapter 3, I Am Chinese, of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, children

throughout Henry’s neighborhood would verbally abuse him even though they were
classmates and even some of them once friends. They’d scream at him “white devil” to
harass him. Henry had to deal with bullies like these all the time, so when his father
forced him to where that button that said “I am Chinese”, Henry knew that this would add
to the amount of kids bullying him. This also shows how Henry and his father have some
tension within there relationship because of this switch up happening in there life.