from Snow Falling on Cedars

by David Guterson

1. How did the Imadas react to the FBI’s visit?

2. From the FBI’s standpoint, what was the real purpose behind this trip to the Imada home? Explain.

3. How did Hatsue react to her mother’s advice? Explain.

4. According to Fujiko, how did the hakujin and the Japanese differ? Do you agree with her?

Essay Question

• In what ways was Hatsue’s identity struggle similar to those of other Japanese Americans at the time? Should she have followed her mother’s advice to embrace her Japanese purity or should she have followed her American beliefs and her instinct to express herself?