Explanations 
Flashcards 
StudySmarter AI 
Notes 
Study Plans 
Study Sets 
Exams 
Magazine 
Find a job 
Mobile App 
Jump to a key chapter
Overview: When the Emperor Was Divine
"When the Emperor was Divine" is a historical novel written by Julie Otsuka. The book explores the lives of a Japanese American family that was sent to live in an internment camp during World War II. The story is divided into five sections, each from a different family member's perspective.
In-depth Look at "When the Emperor Was Divine" by Julie Otsuka
In "When the Emperor Was Divine", Otsuka paints a poignant picture of the war-time experiences of the Japanese-American family. The novel kicks off with a woman and her two children, a girl and a boy, as they prepare to depart for an internment camp after their father has been arrested on suspicion of being a Japanese spy.
An internment camp is a detention center where civilians, enemy aliens, political prisoners, and sometimes prisoners of war are held, usually during a war.
The family's life in the camp contrasts starkly with their previous middle-class lifestyle in Berkeley, California. The lack of privacy, regulatory rules, and basic living conditions profoundly shape their lives, robbing them of their identities. The result is a tale that is as hard-hitting as it is heart-rending.
For example, the children receive numbered identification tags at the camp that they must wear at all times, a symbol of their stripped identities and autonomy.
The Historical Context of "When the Emperor Was Divine"
"When the Emperor was Divine" is set in one of the darkest periods in American history, during World War II. This was a time marked by rampant fear and suspicion following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 by the Imperial Japanese Navy. As a result, about 120,000 Japanese-Americans, most of whom were U.S. citizens, were forced to leave their homes and were incarcerated in internment camps.
In a disturbing demonstration of racial discrimination, these detainees were viewed as potential spies and traitors purely based on their heritage. This dynamic set the stage for the events in "When the Emperor was Divine".
Julie Otsuka: The Brain Behind "When the Emperor Was Divine"
Julie Otsuka is an American writer renowned for her delicate prose and evocative depiction of complex social issues. Her debut novel, "When the Emperor Was Divine", represents a unique chapter of America's multicultural narrative.
Otsuka's parents, like the characters in the story, were held in internment camps during World War II, which provided her with a deeply personal understanding of their plight. This intimate connection allows her to convey the physical, emotional, and psychological toll of this experience with remarkable clarity and depth.
A Comprehensive 'When the Emperor Was Divine' Summary
The novel 'When the Emperor Was Divine' is a saga of the lives of a Japanese-American family living in the United States during World War II. Their trials and tribulations begin when they are forced into an internment camp after the father is arrested. This historical novel unravels the deep emotional and psychological impacts of war.
Detailed Breakdown of 'When the Emperor Was Divine' Plot
'When the Emperor Was Divine' starts as an unnamed woman and her two children in Berkley, California, receive a notice of their 'evacuation' and imminent internment. Terrifyingly, their labels now aren't names, but numbers inscribed on tags they have to wear.
The novel is broken down into five sections, and each tells the story from a different perspective. The first section, aptly named 'Evacuation Order No. 19', is from the mother's perspective as she prepares for departure. Her experiences then beautifully intertwine with the others in the following sections. Here's a concise breakdown:
- 'Train' is the narrative of the little girl. Her innocence contrasts starkly with the dire circumstances as she observes her family and fellow passengers on the train to Utah.
- 'When the Emperor Was Divine' is an insight into the boy's perspective. His experiences and dealings within the internment camp shape the narrative here.
- 'In a Stranger's Backyard' happens after three years when the woman and her children are allowed to return to their home. However, the father isn't with them. The narrative shifts to focus on their lives post-internment, which is marked by alienation and constant judgment.
- The last section, 'Confession', contains the father's reflections post his release. It starts with a long list of 'I did…' and serves as the platform to express his anger and resentment towards the State.
Internment refers to the act of confining people, especially military personnel, in times of war for reasons of national security.
For instance, the novel mentions how the woman and her children find their house vandalised upon return. It portrays the neighbour's disdain for them, hinting at their social alienation.
Unexpected Turns in 'When the Emperor Was Divine' Storyline
Otsuka's narrative style in 'When The Emperor Was Divine' takes several unexpected turns, with each chapter taking the reader by surprise. Interestingly, no character is specified by name. The four central characters - the woman, girl, boy, and man are nameless throughout and this is perhaps the most unexpected turn of all.
Although the novel is quite linear, moving from the Berkley home to the internment camp in Utah and then back home, the inside dynamics take several unexpected modes. For instance, the characters slowly lose their sense of identity. This identity loss is reflected physically as with the family dog left behind and metaphorically through detachment from their names.
Another example of unexpected turns in the storyline is the change in the woman's behaviour once she reaches the internment camp. What was previously a confident and quiet woman turns jumpy and anxious, constantly worried about her missing husband and the children’s well-being.
A Sneak Peek into the 'When the Emperor Was Divine' Ending
'When The Emperor Was Divine' concludes with a long monologue from the father, marking his return after being released from a separate camp. It unfolds into a list of deeply intimate, personal confessions that he says are all lies he had to speak to gain his freedom.
The father talks about his love for America and his detest for Japan. He also denies being loyal to the emperor. But then, he abruptly changes course and confesses that all of his statements were lies and that he’d say anything to save his life. It's a shocking revelation that echoes the profound impact of the traumatic internment experience.
The book concludes with the family, once affectionate, struggling to interact with the changed man who was once their patriarch. This vivid description leaves a lasting impression, allowing readers a glimpse of the deep scars that war leaves on ordinary people.
Characters and Their Roles in When the Emperor Was Divine
The novel 'When the Emperor Was Divine' comprises four main characters. Each character isn't named but is rather described through their roles, such as the woman, the girl, the boy, and the man. This signifies the loss of personal identity due to internment. Their roles in the narrative are dynamic and contribute significantly to the plot development.
A Complete 'When the Emperor Was Divine' Character List
In assessing the character list for 'When the Emperor Was Divine', it's important to remember that author Julie Otsuka intentionally leaves the characters unnamed to symbolise their loss of identity in internment. Here is a complete character list:
| Character Role | Description |
| The Woman | The woman is the Japanese-American mother of the girl and the boy, and the wife of the man who is taken away. She starts preparing her family for their internment following an evacuation order. She's stoic, resilient, but struggles with the harsh realities of her new life. |
| The Girl | The little girl is a young, quiet, observant child who loves her dolls and piano lessons. The internment camp exposure leaves her missing her previous life and facing difficulties understanding her surroundings. |
| The Boy | The boy is a little older than the girl and displays a fair understanding of the situation. He misses his father sorely and is often seen shouldering responsibilities and trying to make sense of their new life. He's fascinated by the Indian boy at the camp. |
| The Man | The man is the father of the boy and girl, and the husband to the woman. Being held separately, he only appears significantly towards the end, featuring a monologue where he confesses the lies he had to profess to gain his freedom. |
Other minor characters include the White Lady: the woman's landlord, the Indian boy: a fellow internee who befriended the boy, the camp guards, and other internees like the blind man and the woman who acted like a chicken.
Main Characters vs. Supporting Characters in 'When the Emperor Was Divine'
The main characters in 'When the Emperor Was Divine' are the woman, the girl, the boy, and the man. These characters take up most of the narrative and the story revolves around their perspectives and experiences. It's through these characters that we are presented with the harsh realities of war, internment, and its subsequent consequences.
The supporting characters, on the other hand, play pivotal roles to reinforce the main characters' experiences. For instance, the White lady, who is the family's landlady back in Berkeley, comes to check on the house and ends up stealing a coat. Her actions exhibit the prejudice and opportunistic behaviour that the Japanese-American families faced from their neighbours.
Similarly, the Indian boy becomes a friend and fellow internee for the boy, becoming a vital link for him to the outside world. The woman who started acting like a chicken and the blind man signify the psychological toll that internment took on people.
Otsuka further uses pets like the dog and the rosebush metaphorically to focus on the sense of loss and abandonment. The family had to leave their dog behind, indicating the abandonment of their old life and the rosebush, being the only thing the woman thought she might miss, reflects her emotional attachment to their previous life.
A supporting character is one who helps drive the plot forward or provides insight into the main characters, while a main character's actions and experiences primarily guide the story.
The narrative of 'When the Emperor Was Divine' evolves around the experiences of the main characters while the supporting characters aid in enhancing the plot's depth and diversity, providing audiences a comprehensive view of internment life in World War II America.
Undertones and Interpretations: When the Emperor Was Divine Themes
The novel 'When the Emperor Was Divine' offers a moving narrative that blends history with fiction. Throughout its pages, a multitude of thought-provoking themes give depth to the story. These themes not only reveal the characters' emotions and struggles but also offer an insight into the political and social realities of World War II.
Common and Recurring 'When the Emperor Was Divine' Themes
The narrative of 'When the Emperor Was Divine' is layered with recurrent themes contributing to its richness. From identity and displacement to racism and loyalty, each theme seamlessly weaves into the story, providing a comprehensive depiction of life during internment. Here's a compiled list of common themes you'll encounter in the novel:
- Identity and Displacement: The characters grapple with their Japanese-American identity and the displacement from their homes. The woman, the boy and the girl all deal with being uprooted and placed in unfamiliar territory, while struggling to maintain a semblance of their past lives.
- Racism: The internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II underlines the racism prevalent at the time. From open hostility to subtle micro-aggressions, the characters face numerous racial situations.
- Loyalty: Questions of loyalty towards America or Japan frequently surface, as characters are compelled to prove their allegiance to the US government. This internal conflict forms a crucial part of the narrative.
- Resilience: In the face of adversity, the characters exhibit remarkable resilience. The theme of resilience underscores their determination to live through the toughest of times.
- Loss: The loss of freedom, belongings, pride, and identity is evident throughout the novel. The various forms of loss experienced by the characters add depth to this historical narrative.
The way these themes play out through each character's experiences adds a new dimension of understanding towards the internment of Japanese-Americans, providing readers a vivid impression of the societal attitudes and norms during that era.
A theme in literature refers to an idea that recurs in a text, a thread running through the work. It provides a central idea or message that allows readers to understand the deep underlying meanings.
Deeper Dive into the Symbolism in 'When the Emperor Was Divine'
'When the Emperor Was Divine' is rich with symbolism that further uncovers its underlying themes and messages. Symbolism in this novel is thought-provoking, often representing larger ideas or emotions that reflect the characters' experiences and their psychological and emotional states. Some key symbols include:
- The Rose Bush: The rose bush that the woman misses is symbolic of her attachment to their home and her previous life.
- Train Journey: The train journey to the internment camp is symbolic of the transition from freedom to imprisonment. It represents both a physical and emotional displacement from the known to the unknown.
- Animals: Animals appear in different instances providing symbolic meaning. The white dog that's left behind symbolises their abandoned life. The girl's pet hen at the camp represents a semblance of normalcy amidst disruption. Additionally, the moth trapped in the woman's cup signifies their entrapment.
- Nameless Characters: The absence of names for the main characters is a powerful symbol of the loss of personal identity due to internment.
- The Father's Glasses: The cracked glasses that the father owns at the end of the novel represent his fragmented view of the world, post his traumatic experience.
Each symbol in the novel conveys profound meanings and speaks volumes about the characters' situations and feelings. The exploration and understanding of these symbols add further depth to the narrative and the understanding of the characters.
Symbolism in literature is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities, giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. It offers deeper layers of meaning to a text.
'When the Emperor Was Divine', through its recurrent themes and rich symbolism, expertly captures the lives and trials of a Japanese-American family during World War II. It's through this detailed exploration of themes and symbols that readers can grapple with the profound implications of internment on individuals and families as a whole.
Detailed Analysis of 'When the Emperor Was Divine'
A comprehensive evaluation of 'When the Emperor Was Divine' reveals a story imbued with raw emotion, telling the tale of Japanese-American internment during World War II. The unflinching representation of the harsh realities of the internment camps, alongside the profound exploration of individual struggles, offer the readers an in-depth understanding of a turbulent time in history. With an analytical lens, one can delve into the heart of Julie Otsuka's novel and dissect its varying aspects, illuminating its themes, motifs, and narrative style.
The Insights on 'When the Emperor was Divine' Analysis
Critical examination of 'When the Emperor Was Divine' provides the reader with valuable insights into the intricate narrative style, the depth of characters and their perspectives, and the symbolism that strengthens the underlying themes. The merit lies in acknowledging how each of these components cooperates to create a unified and compelling narrative.
Beginning with the narrative style, Otsuka's choice of using an omniscient, third-person narrative perspective is remarkably effective for the story's nature and topic. This approach allows her to delve into each character's thoughts, feelings, and reactions, painting a comprehensive picture of their individual experiences. Furthermore, Otsuka's decision not to name any of the main characters further emphasises the loss of individuality experienced by internees, thereby creating an impactful representation of internment's dehumanising effects.
| Component | Insight |
| Narrative Style | Third-person omniscient narrative enables exploration of each character's experiences. The absence of character names underscores the loss of individuality. |
| Characterisation | Distinct character perspectives capture the internment experience's individual and collective impacts. Characters are resilient but visibly affected by their circumstances. |
| Symbolism | Symbolism enhances the narrative's depth, reinforcing themes such as loss, displacement, and identity. |
Characters in 'When the Emperor Was Divine' are thoroughly fleshed out, despite their lack of personal names. Otsuka breathes life into these characters through their personal experiences, thoughts, and reactions to their situation, thereby forging a strong connection between the reader and the characters. The resilience demonstrated by the family - the woman, the girl, and the boy, in the face of tremendous adversity, is strikingly contrasted with their poignant sense of loss and displacement. Therefore, the vast spectrum of emotions and experiences explored through the characters forms the backbone of the novel's narrative.
Symbolism is an integral part of 'When the Emperor Was Divine'. It not only serves to reinforce the themes of loss, displacement, identity, and racism, but also to provide a deeper understanding of the characters' emotional states. From the rose bush that symbolises the woman's longing for her past life, the train journey representing their transition from freedom to incarceration, to the nameless characters embodying the loss of personal identity, Otsuka's use of symbolism enriches the narrative and strengthens its overall impact.
Symbolism in 'When the Emperor Was Divine' essentially entails the use of symbols to encapsulate deeper meanings and notions, contributing to the narrative's emotional depth and thematic focus.
Exploring Literary Techniques in 'When the Emperor Was Divine'
Otsuka employs various literary techniques in 'When the Emperor Was Divine'. Notable among these are imagery, flashbacks and the use of monologues. Collectively, these elements serve to enhance the novel's expressive depth, bringing the narrative to life.
The imagery in the novel is both vivid and compelling, painting a clear picture of the characters' experiences. It ranges from descriptions of physical surroundings, such as the barren internment camp to detailed accounts of characters' emotional states, showing the adverse effects of internment on their mental health.
The use of flashbacks is a powerful tool in the narrative. It helps showcase the stark contrast between the characters' former lives in Berkeley and their current existence in the internment camp, reinforcing the depth of the loss they have experienced.
The monologue towards the end, delivered by the father figure who has been absent throughout most of the book, offers a heartrending account of his experiences. It is through this monologue that the full extent of the trauma and humiliation suffered by the interned individuals comes to light.
| Literary Technique | Usage in the Novel |
| Imagery | Used to portray both physical surroundings and emotional states, enhancing the narrative's vividness. |
| Flashbacks | Provide contrast between characters' past lives and present, highlighting the loss they've experienced. |
| Monologue | Used effectively to reveal the trauma and humiliation suffered by the father figure. |
Literary techniques are methods employed by authors to convey their message more effectively. These techniques can help enhance a narrative by providing clarity, depth, and emotional resonance.
Understanding and appreciating these literary techniques deepens the reader's engagement with the book, unveiling the nuanced layers of the narrative. Therefore, these elements are vital to a thorough and in-depth comprehension of 'When the Emperor Was Divine'.
When the Emperor Was Divine - Key takeaways
- 'When the Emperor Was Divine' is a narrative divided into sections, each offering perspectives from different family members – a little girl, a boy and their parents – around the time of their interned experience during World War II.
- The story delves into themes such as identity loss, racism, loyalty, resilience and displacement nuanced through experiences of the different characters.
- The term 'internment' refers to the act of confining people in times of war for reasons of national security. This is a process endured by the family in the novel.
- Symbolism in the novel includes nameless characters (symbolising loss of personal identity), the rose bush (representing attachment to former life), and animals (representing abandonment and entrapment).
- The narrative structure remains linear but with unexpected turns in the storyline. For instance, the changes in individual characters behaviour and perspective due to their exposure to internment, and an ending marked by a confessional monologue by the father.
Learn faster with the 30 flashcards about When the Emperor Was Divine
Sign up for free to gain access to all our flashcards.
Frequently Asked Questions about When the Emperor Was Divine
About StudySmarter
StudySmarter is a globally recognized educational technology company, offering a holistic learning platform designed for students of all ages and educational levels. Our platform provides learning support for a wide range of subjects, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Languages and also helps students to successfully master various tests and exams worldwide, such as GCSE, A Level, SAT, ACT, Abitur, and more. We offer an extensive library of learning materials, including interactive flashcards, comprehensive textbook solutions, and detailed explanations. The cutting-edge technology and tools we provide help students create their own learning materials. StudySmarter’s content is not only expert-verified but also regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Learn more