Under the Blood Red Sun

How does the story address the concept of loyalty, both to country and family? Which characters struggle the most with loyalty in this work? Why and how?

How does the setting impact the characters and plot of Under the Blood Red Sun? How might this story be different if it were told from the mainland?

At one point, Tomi claims that his mother is the bravest of all of them. Is this true? Use evidence from the text to prove or disprove Tomi’s statement. Additionally, compare and contrast Tomi’s mother’s bravery to that of a male character in the text.

Grampa Joji wants Tomi to be “a boy of suitable devotion” (6). By the end of the story, does Tomi reach this standard? Use evidence from the text to prove your argument.

Analyze Tomi’s relationship with Billy. How does their relationship change throughout the story? In what ways is this friendship supportive to Tomi? To Billy? What does this friendship say about differences between friends?

Prejudice and discrimination play critical roles in Under the Blood Red Sun. How do prejudice and discrimination affect Tomi and his family? How do they affect other characters in the narrative?

What role does Keet play in Under the Blood Red Sun? In your opinion, what motivates him to end his friendship with Tomi? Is Keet trying to harass the Nakaji family, or does he really believe the Nakaji’s are spies? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Rewrite the bombing of Pearl Harbor scene from Grampa Joji’s perspective, including his internal monologue. As this is a critical moment in Grampa Joji’s relationship with Divided Loyalties, be sure to capture the mood shift as he realizes what is happening.