1. Humor as a Defense Mechanism: The Wakatsuki family often used humor to deflect the harsh realities of camp life. For instance, when they first arrived at Manzanar and were assigned a cramped, poorly furnished barracks, they joked about their living conditions and made light of the inconveniences.
2. Finding Solace in Small Pleasures: Despite the deprivations and restrictions of camp life, the Wakatsukis found joy and solace in small pleasures. They took pleasure in the beauty of the surrounding mountains and desert, played games, and entertained themselves with storytelling and music.
3. Creative Solutions to Everyday Challenges: The Wakatsukis demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness in finding solutions to everyday challenges. For example, they built shelves and furniture using scrap materials, improvised cooking utensils, and even created a makeshift oven out of a discarded stove.
4. Humor in the Face of Authority: The Wakatsuki family also used humor to challenge the authority figures in the camp. When confronted by a camp official who was trying to enforce unreasonable rules, Papa Wakatsuki responded with gentle sarcasm, defusing the situation and subtly undermining the authority's power.
5. Strength Through Unity: The Wakatsuki family drew strength from their unity and shared sense of humor. They supported and encouraged one another, often engaging in laughter and jokes to uplift their spirits and maintain morale.
6. Preserving Cultural Identity: Humor and resourcefulness allowed the Wakatsukis to preserve their cultural identity and sense of self. Through their shared experiences and reliance on their cultural heritage, they were able to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the disruptions and hardships of camp life.
Overall, humor and resourcefulness played a crucial role in helping the Wakatsukis endure the adversities of Manzanar. By finding humor in their circumstances, utilizing their resourcefulness, and supporting each other, they demonstrated resilience and the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.