Summary

It is 1942, and the family arrives at the Tanforan Assembly Center. Everyone is frisked and examined medically. The workings of the camp are explained, and the family learns that their housing used to be stables because all of the good rooms have already been taken. There is one light bulb, and the floor smells of manure. They will be given cleaning supplies so they can clean their room. Etsuko begins to cry, and Taizo tells her that they will gaman which means that they will endure “the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity” (111). Taizo feels shame as he goes to the mattress department and fills the ticks with straw. Ruth looks around and sees that most people are smiling. Etsuko is ashamed when they have to wait in a long line for a meal because it reminds her of bread lines she...