No-No Boy Summary

No-No Boy is a novel by John Okada in which a Japanese-American man named Ichiro Yamada must reconcile his Japanese and American identities in the wake of World War II.

  • Ichiro Yamada is relocated to an internment camp during World War II. 
  • Upon his release, Ichiro moves back to Seattle. Many other Japanese-Americans look down on him for having refused to pledge his allegiance to the United States.
  • One of Ichiro's close friends, Kenji, joins the American military during the war.
  • Kenji introduces Ichiro to Emi, whose brother and father repatriated to Japan. Emi's husband Mike left her, and she and Ichiro bond.

Summary

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Transformation and Identity
The narrative of No-No Boy explores the complex issues of identity, belonging, and societal rejection faced by Japanese Americans post-World War II. The protagonist, Ichiro Yamada, grapples with feelings of alienation and regret after refusing to serve in the U.S. military. His journey reflects a broader struggle of reconciling cultural heritage with national loyalty in a divided society.

Chapter 1

In the bustling streets of post-war Seattle, Ichiro Yamada steps off a bus, returning home after years of internment and imprisonment. The twenty-five-year-old Japanese American finds himself gripped by estrangement, feeling like a foreigner in his own birthplace. An encounter with Eto, an old acquaintance who served in the U.S. Army, turns bitter when Eto labels Ichiro as a "no-no" boy for refusing military service and U.S. allegiance. Disheartened, Ichiro heads to his family’s cramped living quarters behind a grocery store, where his father warmly welcomes him before his mother returns from her errands.

Ichiro's past weighs heavily on him, burdened by the belief that he erred in declining to fight for the United States. His resentment towards his parents, particularly his mother who clings to delusions of Japan's victory, intensifies his internal conflict. Taro, Ichiro's younger brother, harbors resentment as well, choosing military service over college in stark contrast to Ichiro's choices. The brothers' disconnect underscores the familial and cultural tensions at play.

Chapter 2

The tension at home escalates as Ichiro's mother, unyielding in her belief that Japan emerged victorious, dismisses the death of a friend's son as inconsequential. In a heated moment, Ichiro accuses her of madness, resulting in a physical altercation with his father. Calming down, Ichiro receives money to visit Freddie, a friend who shares his experience of incarceration but remains defiant. The visit offers a semblance of camaraderie amidst Ichiro's turmoil.

Chapter 3

Ichiro wanders the streets, yearning for a place to call home in the country of his birth. Memories of university life draw him to campus, where a brief, unsatisfying conversation with his former professor leaves him disheartened. A chance meeting with Kenji, a war veteran who lost a leg, provides a stark contrast to Ichiro’s perceived failures. Kenji, despite his physical loss, possesses acceptance and tangible benefits for his service, highlighting Ichiro’s internal struggle with identity.

Chapter 4

In a Chinatown casino, Ichiro faces ridicule from his peers, who view him as a pariah. Kenji, a steadfast friend, urges him to relinquish the burden of guilt. Yet, a confrontation with local youth leads to violence, only to be diffused by Kenji. The night culminates at Emi's farmhouse, a place of refuge and clarity, where Emi encourages Ichiro to embrace an American identity and forge a new path.

Chapter 5

Returning home, Ichiro confronts his mother’s delusions once more. Disheartened by her denial of their relatives' suffering in Japan, Ichiro suspects her confidence is wavering. The family dynamics are strained, with his mother's refusal to eat causing concern for her wellbeing. Tensions remain high as Ichiro searches for a sense of direction.

Chapter 6

Kenji’s homecoming is bittersweet, as his family rallies around him despite the looming shadow of his mortality. The warmth of familial bonds contrasts sharply with Ichiro's household tensions. Following a familial gathering, Kenji and Ichiro embark on a journey to Portland, where Kenji faces his grim prognosis with a pragmatic acceptance that Ichiro admires.

Chapter 7

In Portland, Ichiro grapples with his employment prospects. Despite receiving a job offer from Mr. Carrick, an empathetic employer, Ichiro's doubts about his American identity thwart his decision to accept. A visit to Kenji in the hospital reinforces the...

(This entire section contains 872 words.)

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urgency of Ichiro's need for self-acceptance and reconciliation with his actions. Emi's offer of work presents a glimmer of opportunity, yet Ichiro hesitates, caught between past mistakes and future possibilities.

Chapter 8

Back in Seattle, Ichiro's mother spirals into a deeper state of denial, culminating in her tragic death. The family's mourning is complicated by Ichiro’s mixed feelings about his mother and his own identity. Kenji's passing adds another layer of grief, leaving Ichiro to navigate the aftermath of loss with a renewed sense of urgency.

Chapter 9

Amidst the rituals of his mother's funeral, Ichiro is plagued by a sense of disconnection. Freddie’s reckless lifestyle offers a momentary escape, but Ichiro can't ignore the deeper need for change. A visit from Emi brings news of her impending divorce, and together they contemplate a future unburdened by societal judgment. Ichiro's father's preparations to aid relatives in Japan signal a turn towards personal agency and autonomy.

Chapter 10

At the Christian Reclamation Center, Ichiro faces a decision about potential employment. Engaging in candid conversations with Gary, a fellow draft resister, he gains perspective on overcoming prejudice. Though initially hesitant to accept the job, Ichiro is buoyed by the kindness shown to him, contemplating a future that reconciles his past with his hopes.

Chapter 11

Freddie's reckless actions lead to tragedy, marking a pivotal moment for Ichiro. Confronting Bull at the Club Oriental ends in violence, yet Freddie's fatal accident casts a shadow over the night. Despite the chaos, Ichiro finds an unexpected sense of hope, ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, leaving behind the burdens of his "no-no" boy label.

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