In 1943, American psychologist Abraham Maslow developed a model called The Hierarchy of Needs. The model consisted of, according to Maslow, the five basic needs of the human race; one of them being the need for love, and belonging. Connecting with people and creating personal bonds is a part of human nature, and is something everybody searches for. While it is one of the deepest personal connections a person can have, the bond they share with their family can also be the most complicated. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, a novel by Jamie Ford, revolves around the relationships the characters share, and how they develop.
The main relationship shown in the novel is between Henry and Keiko. Although Keiko is of Japanese descent, Henry …show more content…
Henry and his father don’t share the same father-son bond that is present in most families. Rather than supporting Henry and his decisions, Mr. Lee’s top priority is not only maintaining Chinese tradition, but also keeping his family from the Japanese. With his best friend being Japanese, Henry disagrees with how racist his father is. For example, Henry’s best friend is Japanese, and he has to hide that from his disapproving father. Henry disagrees with how his father views Japanese people, Although Henry hid Keiko’s family photos, his father ended up finding them, and throws them out the window. When Henry tries to go outside to grab the photos, his father says to him “‘If you walk out that door--if you walk out that door now, you are no longer part of this family. You are no longer Chinese. You are not part of us anymore. Not a part of me.’” (185). Knowing the consequences, Henry still decides to grab Keiko's photos. Henry’s decision sends their relationship down the drain, and his father refuses to talk to him. Although he was never able to fix his relationship with his father, Henry was able to fix the relationship he would, later in his life, have with his …show more content…
The main relationship described is between Keiko and her family, is and because of their Japanese heritage, they were forced into a situation most people could not imagine. The bombing of Pearl Harbor caused panic throughout the nation, and every Japanese American was punished for it; including the Okabe family. Although they struggled, they were close and had a tight family bond. The relationship that grew the most was Henry and his son, Marty as he learned new things about his father that he never thought would be possible. Although there is tension between the two, especially after Ethel passed away, they figure things out and end up having the father-son relationship that they've always wanted. Similarly, Henry and His father's relationship was never very good. The main difference between the two relationships is Henry was never able to make things right with his father before he passed away. Henry's father was a racist, unreasonable man who strictly followed Chinese tradition and Henry's disagreement with his father's ways led to conflicts in their relationship. Henry's life was always filled with complicated relationships that always were held on by thin threads, but “He’d do what he always did, find the sweet among the
The main relationship shown in the novel is between Henry and Keiko. Although Keiko is of Japanese descent, Henry …show more content…
Henry and his father don’t share the same father-son bond that is present in most families. Rather than supporting Henry and his decisions, Mr. Lee’s top priority is not only maintaining Chinese tradition, but also keeping his family from the Japanese. With his best friend being Japanese, Henry disagrees with how racist his father is. For example, Henry’s best friend is Japanese, and he has to hide that from his disapproving father. Henry disagrees with how his father views Japanese people, Although Henry hid Keiko’s family photos, his father ended up finding them, and throws them out the window. When Henry tries to go outside to grab the photos, his father says to him “‘If you walk out that door--if you walk out that door now, you are no longer part of this family. You are no longer Chinese. You are not part of us anymore. Not a part of me.’” (185). Knowing the consequences, Henry still decides to grab Keiko's photos. Henry’s decision sends their relationship down the drain, and his father refuses to talk to him. Although he was never able to fix his relationship with his father, Henry was able to fix the relationship he would, later in his life, have with his …show more content…
The main relationship described is between Keiko and her family, is and because of their Japanese heritage, they were forced into a situation most people could not imagine. The bombing of Pearl Harbor caused panic throughout the nation, and every Japanese American was punished for it; including the Okabe family. Although they struggled, they were close and had a tight family bond. The relationship that grew the most was Henry and his son, Marty as he learned new things about his father that he never thought would be possible. Although there is tension between the two, especially after Ethel passed away, they figure things out and end up having the father-son relationship that they've always wanted. Similarly, Henry and His father's relationship was never very good. The main difference between the two relationships is Henry was never able to make things right with his father before he passed away. Henry's father was a racist, unreasonable man who strictly followed Chinese tradition and Henry's disagreement with his father's ways led to conflicts in their relationship. Henry's life was always filled with complicated relationships that always were held on by thin threads, but “He’d do what he always did, find the sweet among the