Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Belonging, Bigotry, and Identity
Silence vs. Communication
Family Dynamics and Inheritance
Memory
Love and Self-Sacrifice
Summary
Analysis
Henry puts his trip to New York City on hold to spend time with Sheldon. At the nursing home, Henry greets Sheldon’s partner, Minnie, who asks if “the music” is Henry’s doing. Henry is confused, but soon hears the old Oscar Holden record—his and Keiko’s song—playing from Sheldon’s room. Henry finds Samantha sitting by Sheldon’s bed; she explains that Keiko sent her copy of the record to Sheldon when she learned he was sick.
Keiko’s gift of her own Oscar Holden record suggests that she has never forgotten the role that Sheldon—and Henry—played in her life. The fact that Henry delays his reunion with Keiko in order to say goodbye to Sheldon also emphasizes not only the importance of Sheldon’s friendship to Henry, but also the fact that Henry has learned the importance of a proper goodbye.
Themes
In awe, Henry reads the letter Keiko included with the record. It is addressed to Henry, and in it Keiko writes that she hopes the record will be a reminder of “the good, not the bad,” and “of what was, not what wasn’t meant to be.” Henry sits at Sheldon’s side, and hears Sheldon’s whispered words: “You fixed it.” Henry assents, and thinks, “Soon, I’m going to fix everything.” Sheldon dies three hours later, with the Oscar Holden record still playing in the background.
Keiko’s letter makes clear that she has used her memories of Henry as a source of comfort rather than bitterness, just as Henry has tried to do. Henry’s promise to Sheldon that he is “going to fix everything” speaks to how important Sheldon’s advice and encouragement have been to Henry throughout his life.
Themes
