Farewell to Manazar

Prejudice is a recurring idea often used by American novelists. In this novel, the prejudice is aimed at the Japanese-Americans after Pearl Harbor. On the West Coast, there has been prejudice against Asians since they were brought to California to help build the railroads. Americans feared them because they were different. Because of the prejudice against and thinly veiled hatred of the Asians, Asians are not allowed to become Naturalized Citizens, own land, nor many of the other rights of Americans.

This prejudice becomes overt and rampant in the press and supported by the government. There is a fear that these Japanese, have not been given an opportunity to become citizens of America, will show their loyalty to the Emperor of Japan and spy for him. In some cases this threat is real, but in most cases it is unfounded. Japanese-Americans are proud to be American, and want the privilege of becoming citizens.