In the memoir Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, the term “inu” is used as a derogatory term for Japanese Americans. It roughly translates to “dog” in Japanese and is used in a context that implies betrayal or contempt. The use of this term reflects the tensions and discrimination faced by Japanese Americans during World War II, particularly when they were unjustly incarcerated in internment camps.
The protagonist Jeanne and her family, like many others, endured not only the physical hardships of internment but also the emotional scars of being labeled and dehumanized by their own country, highlighting the themes of identity and resilience throughout the book.