In a portion of Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston's memoir titled Farewell to Manzanar, Jeanne's Japanese family, living in California, is ordered to move to an internment camp called Manzanar. Society impacts the family in many ways, but in this segment of the story we primarily see its effects on Jeanne. The context and setting are as follows: the bombing of Pearl Harbor was a very recent event, the United States was going to war with Japan, and President Roosevelt had signed Executive Order 9066, allowing internment. Anyone who might threaten the war effort was moved inland to demarcated military areas. Essentially, Japanese immigrants were imprisoned and considered a threat; however, many have managed to remain positive and compliant. Jeanne's family heard "the older leaders, the Issei, say to the others very quietly 'Shikata ga nai'" (604), meaning that nothing can be done, or must be done, even if the world around them surrounding him had become aggressive and cold. Society had a notable effect on Jeanne, as it affected her view of racial divisions, her family relationships, and her health. The most prevalent way society influenced Jeanne was by discriminating against her and her entire race. His view of racial divisions was quickly distorted and manipulated in the short period before he moved to Manzanar. Before the war, hostility toward Japanese Americans was rare: After the attack on Pearl Harbor, “public attitudes toward the Japanese in California were changing rapidly. . . Tolerance had turned into distrust and irrational fear” (604). One of the first instances in which an American was ill-disposed towards Jeanne was at school. Jeanne was having trouble with her homework, but the teacher was distant and aloof. Even though Jeanne...... half of the paper ......r the refrigerator is working properly or the cooks are experienced, so the food spoils very quickly. Because of these factors, what they called the “Manzanar races” (611) became a part of life, and the entire camp was regularly plagued by digestive problems. Jeanne's life was certainly affected by her stay at Manzanar, and it may not have been the case. for the better. Society had locked her and many others away because of her irrational fear. In response to the feeling of threat, America lashed out at the Japanese, attempting to ensure that they were the ones to fear. The hostility, stress, and abuse that permeated Jeanne's time before and during Manzanar impacted much of her future and shaped the person she is today. Works Cited Applebee, Arthur N. “Farewell to Manzanar.” The language of literature. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2006. 203-12. Press.