Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter And Sweet Essay

Seesaws have been around hundreds of years. Found on almost every standard playground, they provide entertainment for people of all ages around the world. Though it is mostly seen as a toy, it also teaches an important life lesson: when forming relationships, each person involved must give equally. In the novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, Henry Lee, a young Cantonese-American boy forms valuable relationships that have a lasting impact on his life.

The first relationship displayed in the novel is between Henry and his father. Growing up, Henry’s dad, Mr. Lee, shows him little affection. From a young age, Henry has to fight for attention, regardless of the fact that he is an only child. His father seems to prefer working or seeing how the war in the Pacific is going, rather than talking to his son. When he does talk to Henry, all he wants to hear about is school. Mr. Lee makes no effort to engage with his son on an emotional level. Henry grows up seeking approval from his father that is never validated. Another reason Henry is unable to form a strong family bond is because his father only allows him to speak English at home. Mr. Lee feels it is imperative that his son learns English
The relationship with his father allows him to think for himself. Growing up without a strong parental figure teaches him to become an independent man. The close bond Henry shares with Keiko teaches him to cherish those close to him. The final relationship that has an impact on Henry is the one he shares with his son, Marty. They endure numerous life changes together starting with the loss of Ethel and continuing with arrival of Samantha. Through it all, they regain the close bond which was missing from their lives. The relationships that Henry encounters have their ups and downs. He learns many life lessons from them, much like children learning to use a