How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Manjiro had never thought of such things. He had always known what work he would do. Of course, he would have liked to bring honor to his family, and he remembered how he'd once said he wanted to be a samurai. But that was not a real dream, because it could never happen. Now… well, now he didn't know. (2.7.36)
Sounds like Manjiro's on the cusp of some major internal change. Not that he completely trades his hard-core family values with rabid individualism, but the question will be how Manjiro decides to juggle the two values, especially when he returns home toward the end of the book.
Quote #2
Manjiro opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Thoughts collided in his mind. To see America… but to possibly miss a chance to return home to his mother and his family. To learn a thousand new things… but to go to a strange place where people might hate and reject him. To feel again the lift of his heart when the sails filled with wind and the ship seemed to soar over the ocean… but to have to say good-bye to his comrades with whom he'd shared so much… (2.8.20)
So here's the official offer: Either try to return home with his Japanese buddies, or go with the Captain to America as his son. Why is it that so often it's thoughts of family and home that keep a person from transforming?
Quote #3
"Captain Whitfield says this, Captain Whitfield says that. You listen to everything he says. He makes you think wrong thoughts. You listen to the foreigners; you believe them. You're like them," Goemon cried, his voice breaking. "I don't know you anymore!"
Manjiro wondered if that was so. Had he changed? (2.8.39-40)
Short answer: Yes. Manjiro has changed, and in a way that's unrecognizable to Goemon. But has Manjiro really changed that much? He's always been a curious guy, who asks a lot of questions, and he's also an all-around nice guy. So why is Goemon so surprised that Manjiro's thinking of leaving with the Captain?