No No Boy is a very enlightening novel, for the author employs characterization cleverly, thus helping readers see the burden of race from different people’s perspectives (Ichiro – a no no boy, Kenji – a soldier who fought on behalf of the US, Emi – wife of a soldier, Ichiro’s parents – patriotic Japanese, Kenji’s family – victims of the war, Taro – an impulsive young Japanese and etc). Accordingly, double consciousness is illustrated throughout the novel, as Ichiro struggles to make peace with his two identities. No matter how hard he tries to live as a Japanese who refused to join the American army in hope of fulfilling his mother’s wish and not betraying his Japan, and as an American who grew up in the United States learning about its culture
