Similarities Between 'Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter And Sweet'

Growing up and maturing into your own person can come with many of the difficulties and challenges of the adult world. In the bildungsroman novel “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet”, by Jamie Ford, the protagonist Henry experiences similar challenges. Henry has always been the perfect Chinese-American son to his parents. Even as he struggles to fit in at his all-white school, he still hides his own interests for the sake of his family. But as Henry comes of age shortly after the events of Pearl Harbor, he begins to develop his own opinions about the world while experiencing his first love with Keiko, who is Japanese and dealing with the persecutions of the time. While Henry discovers his true self, he experiences many challenges commonly

Haunted by the destruction of touchable, tangible reminders of life. "I burned it all" (Ford 74). This scene in the book is not the first time Henry has seen firsthand the brutal reality of the new life of the Japanese, but it is the first time Henry has seen an adult so distraught. Henry is able to relate to the “haunted” feeling of the photographer, and witnessing the emotions being experienced shows him that the feelings Henry has are universal and that adults are not immune to the shock and pain Henry and Keiko are also feeling. Henry’s confrontations with the adult world shape his character and age him emotionally. “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” can be characterized as a bildungsroman novel when observing the acceptance of the complexities of the world the protagonist experiences. An example of this can best be seen through Henry’s observations of his mother. Although she is Henry’s supporter, she is also loyal to her husband, leaving Henry feeling isolated in his home. After explaining to his mother what Keiko is to him, despite her ethnicity, she simply

A consolation prize, of coming in second and having nothing to show for it. Of coming up empty, having wasted your time, because in the end, what you do, and who you are, doesn’t matter one lousy bit. Nothing does” (Ford 128). This quote shows Henry’s thoughts on his mother’s mediator position between him and his father, and how Henry feels about Keiko’s situation in general. Good things and good actions done by people are not always rewarded, and Henry is able to see that with all of the actions he has done in Keiko’s aid. Even though being a good person is important, Henry is forced to learn that the world is not inherently good. Additionally, another example of the grayness Henry experiences in the world is shown when Henry accepted his role as the man of the house after his father’s passing. Henry contemplates, “Walking home with Ethel, Henry knew he had much to do. He had to help his mother prepare for the funeral. He had to pack for his trip to China. And he had to find a suitable engagement ring. Something he would do with a certain sadness. He'd do what he always did, find the sweet among the bitter” (Ford