Grenade

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the play over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Discuss the evolution of Hideki’s ideas about the Imperial Japanese Army and US troops.

• Why does Hideki reject the simplistic message that demonizes American soldiers and valorizes Japanese soldiers? (topic sentence)
• Identify 2-3 examples from the text where Hideki expresses an opinion that complicates the simplistic dichotomy of good and evil.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, discuss how Hideki’s evolution of ideas relates to the theme of The Honor Culture of Imperial Japan.

2. Consider Hideki’s changing attitude toward mabui during the novel.

• What are Hideki’s central beliefs regarding mabui? (topic sentence)
• Identify 2-3 moments in which these beliefs are challenged and/or changed throughout the novel.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, consider how Hideki’s continual references and concern for mabui connects with the theme of Okinawan Spirituality.

3. In the beginning of the novel, Gratz explores both sides of the warfare through an Okinawan and an American protagonist.

• Does Gratz condemn both American and Japanese warfare equally on Okinawa? (topic sentence)
• Identify 2-3 examples to substantiate your argument of whether Gratz critiques one force more harshly than the other or not and explain why.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, consider what larger point Gratz might be making about The Might of the US War Machine.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. How does Hideki initially feel about the self-sacrifice of kamikaze pilots? How would he view this same event at the end of the novel, given his changed values and beliefs? Would he consider their actions to be honorable or dishonorable? Why?

2. Consider the ending of the novel. Does it end on a hopeful or ambivalent note? Why does Gratz give readers both Hideki’s vision of a recovered Okinawa as well as images of shell-shocked soldiers and Kimiko’s despair? What does this imply about the rebuilding processes of war-torn countries?

3. Consider the significance of the novel’s title. In which ways are grenades symbolic throughout the story? How do grenades impact both protagonists’ lives? Finally, how does Hideki’s perception of his grenades change as he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the war?