Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Memory and the Past Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

But that was all Marty knew of his father's childhood, though he did know that his father had had a hard time of it as a child. Why? He never asked, it somehow seemed sacred, and Henry rarely shared. (9.17)

Henry's kept his childhood under wraps all these years, but now he feels like he should share all his memories—both beautiful and painful—with his son. Maybe this will help them to forge a stronger relationship.

Quote #5

"I thought that too at first, but I think a lot of people just don't want to go back. Sometimes that's the best thing to do—to live in the present."

Henry understood. Honestly, he did. He knew what it was like to leave something behind. To move on and live in the future and not relive the past. (13.30-31)

It makes sense to Henry that many people have opted not to collect their belongings from the Panama Hotel. After all, why would they want to relive some of the worst years of their lives?

Quote #6

"People are getting rid of anything that might connect them to the war with Japan. Letters from Nippon. Clothing. It all must go. Too dangerous to keep. Even old photos. People are burning photos of their parents, of their families." (16.10)

The evacuation of Japanese Americans isn't just stripping them of their homes—it's forcing them to destroy mementos of their past and heritage, too. It's taking away all the things that they hold dear.