No-No Boy

Letters play a significant role in the narrative. Ichiro’s mother shares the first letter with him upon his arrival back home from jail. This letter is pivotal, demonstrating just how committed she is to her alternate reality in which Japan is infallible and America’s victory is impossible. In addition to displaying her state of mind, the first letter also illustrates the wide gulf between Ichiro and his mother, one that cannot be repaired. The second letter is also crucial because this missive from home, in which a younger sister pleads for help in defeated Japan, sets Ichiro’s mother’s collapse in motion. Unable to accept what she is hearing, Ichiro’s mother retreats further and further from her son and husband, a trend that continues until her suicide.

Ichiro spends a lot of time in the cars of Kenji and Freddie, taking different experiences from each. Kenji’s car is specially outfitted for him as recompense for his war injury. The first time Ichiro travels in it, he spends much of his time trying to decide if he would want to change places with Kenji.