Prejudice and Bigotry Theme Analysis

Written in the 1970s, a time of social change in America, The Westing Game portrays an ensemble of “16 imperfect ethnics” in order to expose the prejudices and stereotypes to which people of racial and ethnic minorities and various ranges of disabilities are unfairly subjected. As a diverse group, these characters’ varied experiences show how, contrary to the message of acceptance that’s commonly espoused in American society, people’s differences are often used against them. By highlighting how racism and ableism weave their way into American ideology, Raskin crafts a novel which argues that bigotry has unfortunately become part of the fabric of American society—and it must be annihilated before it weakens and divides the nation. 

The Hoo family—comprised of James, his son Doug, and his second wife Sun Lin—are frequent targets for racism and cruel stereotyping throughout the novel. Hoo was born James Hoo in Chicago, but he added Shin to his name when he became a restaurateur because he felt it made him sound “more Chinese.” Sun Lin Hoo—whom many of the other characters call “Madame Hoo,” a nickname which, like Hoo’s adopted name, exoticizes and stereotypes her—is a recent immigrant from Hong Kong. Together, the Hoos operate a restaurant on the top floor of the Sunset Towers, the apartment building in which the majority of Sam Westing’s potential heirs live—but when the other tenants dine there, they poke fun at the offerings on the menu and wonder if they’re about to be served “boiled grasshopper” or a fried mouse. Grace Wexler—herself the recent descendant of immigrants—remarks on how “doll-like and inscrutable” Madame Hoo is straight to James Hoo’s face. Later, Grace even employs Madame Hoo to serve dim sum while dressed up in a “slinky” Chinese getup at her daughter Angela’s bridal shower. Throughout the humiliating ordeal, Madame Hoo counts the minutes until she can return home and put on her regular clothes. Through the Hoos’ stories, Raskin shows how immigrants and ethnic minorities are often forced to unable to speak out against unfair stereotypes, as doing so would mean risking their livelihoods and further marginalizing and isolating themselves. Thus, they’re forced to accept or even lean into the prejudiced treatment they receive. While the Hoos eventually find community in Sunset Towers—Jake Wexler begins helping Madame Hoo learn English, while Grace helps take some of the burden off of Hoo by running his restaurant so that he can focus on his inventions—their acceptance is hard-won. Raskin uses the Hoos’ stories to demonstrate the frustrating catch-22 that many minorities and immigrants face in America—and how the cruel and dehumanizing prejudice they face breaks down the networks of community upon which American society is supposed to be based.

Judge J.J. Ford, a black female judge, serves as yet another profound example of how bigotry ultimately weakens and endangers American society and its ideals. Ford, whose parents were once servants in the wealthy Westing household, grew up around Sam Westing. The man took a shine to the young J.J. (Josie-Jo)—yet even as he instructed her in games of chess and agreed to finance her education, he made racist references to her “frizzy head” and, according to Ford herself, only helped her so that he could have a judge in his debt. Now, as a black woman in a position of power, Ford has come a long way in her career, battling against senseless structural racism, prejudiced thought, and bigoted speech. Her role as a judge means she is someone who upholds the law, decides the fates of others, and pursues truth above all else. Thus, Ford’s character is emblematic of the ways in which the integrity of American society depends upon honest work, a lack of prejudice, and fair, unbiased treatment—no matter the person or the situation. Ford has devoted her life to bettering the very systems which have worked against her.

Raskin also demonstrates how prejudice against disabled individuals further cleaves American society. Christos “Chris” Theodorakis, as well as Flora Baumbach’s deceased, developmentally challenged daughter, Rosalie, are two examples of how prejudice can harm those who move through the world without the advantage of living in healthy, able bodies. At the start of the novel, Chris is suffering from a rapidly progressing and degenerative neurological disease. His movements and ability to speak are heavily impaired, though his thoughts remain as cogent as ever—yet everyone around Chris still handles him with kid gloves, simultaneously expressing sympathy for the “poor kid” while failing to help him much at all. Flora Baumbach’s daughter, Rosalie, is dead at the start of the novel, yet her presence haunts Flora’s life. Flora only ever describes her daughter as being beautiful and sweet—yet the private investigator’s records obtained by Ford refer to Rosalie as “retarded” and “Mongoloid,” hurtful words which reduce Rosalie to cruel stereotypes. In both Chris and Rosalie’s cases, Raskin shows how writing off an intellectually or physically disabled individual—or focusing solely on their disadvantages—weakens American society by excluding people who stand to contribute much more than they’re given credit for. Rosalie’s kind heart and sunny demeanor changed Flora’s life—and it might’ve touched countless others. Chris’s love of ornithology, discounted by many as the only thing he’s able to do, actually does go on to change his life: toward the end of the novel, he discovers a new type of bird, and the scientific community names it in his honor. Writing off individuals of intellectual or physical difference is, in Raskin’s estimation, equally as cruel as racially profiling or stereotyping an individual.

The Westing Game’s patriotic motifs take on a sense of irony and frustration as Raskin suggests that America’s purported values aren’t the reality for a large portion of the population. Yet the book conveys the idea that without bigotry and prejudice against immigrants, the disabled, and racial and ethnic minorities, America could live up to its own promises.