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
It’s a Monday morning, and Henry nervously dresses for school, looking forward to seeing Keiko at lunch. At breakfast Henry’s father comments on how happy his son looks, asking if the school “fix[ed] the stairs” his son fell down. In actuality, Chaz Preston beat up Henry on his first day at Rainier, but Henry told his father and mother that he had fallen down the stairs. Now, Henry merely nods, finishing his breakfast quickly and then leaving for school.
This passage shows that the silence in the Lee house is not due only to the fact that Henry’s father has banned his son from speaking Chinese. There is also an emotional distance that Henry cannot bridge. Henry cannot communicate to his parents how difficult his life is as a first-generation American—not when they have sacrificed so much to give him what they believe is the best education opportunity possible.
Themes
On Wednesday of the same week, Henry and Keiko leave school together and discuss Keiko’s sketchbook. Keiko explains that her mother was an artist at her age, and that she wanted to move to New York City. Now, Keiko’s mother can no longer paint due to arthritis, but she wants Keiko to attend an art college. Henry reminds Keiko as gently as he can that the art school won’t accept her because she is Japanese. “That’s why my mom wants me to apply there,” Keiko replies. “To be the first.”
This passage not only shows how passionate and motivated Keiko is, but also highlights that she experiences more than one kind of discrimination. When Henry first reminds Keiko that she won’t be accepted at the art school of her dreams, she asks, “Because I’m a girl?” This hints at the way that society imposes not only racial but gender discrimination as well. The fact that Keiko is equally determined to combat both highlights what a fiercely optimistic character she is.
Themes
Henry and Keiko head toward the street corner where Sheldon usually plays, and on the way Keiko reveals that she knows what oai deki te ureshii desu means—she asked her mother. Henry is embarrassed but Keiko thanks him; “it was a nice thing to say,” she insists.
This is another moment in which Keiko seems to affirm that she reciprocates Henry’s nascent romantic feelings. It’s noteworthy, though, that neither character has yet worked out the best way to express their feelings. Learning the language of love is something Henry and Keiko will have to tackle together.
Themes
Sheldon is not on his usual corner; Henry wonders whether Sheldon may have landed a regular gig playing with Oscar Holden. Henry starts to daydream about seeing Sheldon play at the Black Elks Club. Suddenly, Keiko announces: “I want to go.” “You don’t even know what I’m thinking,” Henry says. “If you’re going to listen to him play,” says Keiko, “I’m coming with you.” The two make a plan to meet at the Black Elks Club that evening. Henry walks Keiko home and, as he leaves, feels “his heart rac[ing]” and “his gut tighten[ing].”
This is an important plot point because jazz music will become a significant bonding experience for Henry and Keiko. Another reason this conversation is noteworthy is for the way Keiko seems to read Henry’s mind. These two characters are emotionally in sync in a way that Henry will not at any point experience with another character, suggesting that this emotional harmony is an experience unique to true love.
Themes
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