Influence Of Life In Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter Sweet By Jamie Ford

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In the novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter Sweet, by Jamie Ford, Ford clearly depicts the strife of Asian Americans during the 1940s. The 1940s was a treacherous time for Asian Americans as a result of the recent Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Chinese American Henry Lee lived in Seattle’s Chinatown, during the 1940s. Henry frequently had exposure to prejudiced people for looking similar to the Japanese. The novel often flashes forward to the 1980s when Henry is older. Older Henry reflects on his childhood and how his friends and family have influenced his persona during his lifetime. The alterations in Henry’s life have shaped him into the character he is at the end of the novel. Henry experiences numerous significant connections throughout …show more content…

I love her. Henry paused at the thought. He didn’t even know what that was, or what it meant, but he felt it, burning in his chest—feeling fuzzy inside. Nothing else seemed to matter. Not the somber crowd of camp workers drifting to the barbed-wire gate. Not the machine guns in the towers above. (234)
Henry and Keiko tried their best to communicate with each other as long as they could, but eventually, they lost touch. Henry left Keiko knowing the true meaning of love. The type of love he was not able to receive from his father. Henry’s experiences as a child taught him about love for his future. Henry carried his experiences to his marriage with Ethel and eventually with his son, Marty.
Throughout this coming-of-age novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Ford illustrates the life of Henry Lee and his growth throughout his lifetime. Henry’s relationships during his life greatly contributed to his character today. Henry learned from his father’s actions, a personality that he did not want to portray as a person. Henry learned from his childhood father-son relationship and over time repaired his relationship with Marty. Keiko greatly influenced Henry’s outlook on love and taught him the true feelings of love. Overall, the challenges and life lessons Henry has experienced in his life guided him to become his