1. Focus for Task 1 2015

2. Links to Positive Psychology Psychologist Martin Seligman possible to become happier regardless of one’s life circumstances or temperament. Building capable, self aware young people http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/PositivePsy chology.pdf

3. What do psychologists say?

4. LOSS Shattered e.g. Ishmael Supported and strong e.g. Fujiko and Helen Made introspective e.g. Kabuo and Carl Jnr Defined by loss e.g.Hatsue, Etta, Nels Topic 1

5. LOSS Major characters Kabuo Ishmael Fujiko Hatsue Minor characters Etta Heine Helen Chambers Carl Heine Jnr Nels Gudmundsson

6. LOSS HATSUE 1.Her girlhood, defined by her relationship with Ishmael 2.Manzanar – watershed: breaks off with Ishmael; meets Kabuo 3.Loss of Kabuo: war and trial KABUO 1.His innocence and tranquillity : the war guilt over the killing of the German soldiers 2.His seven acres (seen as the motive for murder) 3. His freedom when he is incarcerated

7. Response to Loss HATSUE Positive Psychology: Finds union with the greater life Self – awareness – she knew with clarity (187) Purposeful Accepting Strong exterior KABUO Positive Psychology: Sustained by love of family and beauty of nature Continues to hope to buy back the land Buddhist beliefs – viewed imprisonment with acceptance

8. LOSS FUJIKO Her romantic dream is dashed – grew to love Hisau Consequences of war (Loss of possessions, arrest of husband, internment) Hatsue’s betrayal ISHMAEL Hatsue Betio –death of Eric Bledsoe – a turning point - his character is shattered and the beginning of his enertia culmination of his loss – Hatsue and his arm Loss of idealism and faith

9. Response to Loss FUJIKO Positive Psychology: Acceptance of inevitability old age, death, injustice, hardship (175) Stoicism and endurance – inner strength Supported by Buddhist philosophy Clings tightly to traditional ways ISHMAEL Positive Psychology: Stuck in the past – an inability to act Anger is replaced by numbness Cynical Finally acknowledges that he does have the capacity for goodness and acts on the truth Able to move forward

10. Loss – Minor Characters (2 Paragraphs) Nels Despite ravages of age, a conscientious lawyer Made a conscious decision not to struggle with life’s unresolvable dilemmas Chess game In the face of community criticism, defends Kabuo Closing statement – call to act on reason Etta Powerlessness owing to the time and her gender A stubborn realist, to overcome the hardships in her life Embittered Prejudiced & mistrustful Pessimistic Yet practical and realistic – ‘Carl made such a mess – now I have to clean it all up ‘(121) makes selfish decisions (selling of the land) yet can move forward

11. Loss – Minor Characters (2 Paragraphs) Helen Loss of second child – high hopes pinned on the first (387) “Loss” of Ishmael Widowhood Participates in life, particularly as a parent (Note details to do with colour – tending flowers, painting with friends, boater festooned with ribbon – associated with life and happiness cf. Ishmael’s coldness) Grace – p304 Her Faith – praying for the right verdict Focuses on positives Carl Jnr War enforces his taciturn nature Fishing suits his introspection – the ‘silent- toiling autonomous gillnetter (33) – gave his life meaning Could not speak Encounter with Kabuo – more like his father (Not the ‘Nazi bastard)’ Arthur Undeterred by impact of warfare and loss of second child (p28) Recorder of the truth – Cultivates virtues to respond to conscience P306 ‘He keeps on with things’ Steadfast morality and resilience

12. Heroes: Heroic action may be defined as fulfilling a higher purpose or attaining a noble end. In the in the face of difficult or challenging circumstances the character earns our respect and admiration through their endurance or resilience or because they act on conscience.

13. Major (Endurance) Heroes HATSUE Growing up as a Japanese American - enduring prejudice and conflict Manzanar Kabuo’s return from war as a different person Husband’s trial (Not indulgent or pitying of Kabuo – urges him to be buoyant and resilient) KABUO Manzanar: war experience and loss of 7 acres Being tried for murder (Withdrawn, disappointed and mistrustful) Holds to dream of land Deep love for family Accepts his destiny

14. Major (Endurance) Heroes FUJIKO Fujiko Lied to Being powerless Deported Defensive Retreats into Japanese ideology Endures, develops stoic dignity

15. Heroes: Minor Endurance characters – 2 paragraphs Carl H Jnr The two opposing ideologies of his parents – chose to be more like his father The war (Sinking of the HSS Canton) Dispossessed of the farm Finds solace in the sea and silence – purposeful and finds meaning in his work Endures the life of the fisherman to buy back his land Helen Endures widowhood and “Loss” of Ishmael Participates in life, particularly as a parent (Note details to do with colour – tending flowers, painting with friends, boater festooned with ribbon – associated with life and happiness cf. Ishmael’s coldness) Grace – p304 Sustained by her faith – praying for the right verdict Focuses on positives

16. Major Conscience characters Nels Despite being blind in his left eye, he could distinguish shades of light and darkness – moral consciousness Urges for deliberate decisions based on reason, not prejudice Is truly human – calls for justice which is not the outcome of irrational fears and hatred Arthur WW1 experience; Response to prejudice 1941 Reacts positively Considered, self disciplined Morally meticulous Sustained by love of family and gardening Presses on, moves forward (306) resilience Ishmael From Ch 31 onwards Recognises that he is his father’s son, and so has the capacity for goodness. Recalls the affirmations of Mr Fukida regarding his strong heart His self – awareness: he had not moved on at all and shrunk in Hatsue’s estimation of him Acknowledges that the heart can bring reason and reasonableness to the universe

17. Minor conscience character Carl Snr Treated all with respect and kindness – happy to ‘jaw’ with the Indians and Japs Christian compassion Bends the rules to help Zenhichi - land deal Objected to the way the Japaneses were rounded up and sent off