Mr. Preston Character Analysis in Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Chaz’s father and a local businessman and developer in Seattle. Mr. Preston only appears in real-time in one scene of the novel, and he is depicted as ambitious and charismatic. Following the evacuation and internment of Japanese families living in Seattle, Mr. Preston moves to buy up as much land as possible in the former Japantown, suggesting that his ambition is at best inconsiderate and at worst cruel, especially when it comes to the many indignities that the Japanese families living in Japantown have been suffering.

Mr. Preston Character Timeline in Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Preston appears in Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Belonging, Bigotry, and Identity Theme Icon

...family has guests over for tea. Henry is stunned to find Chaz and his father, Mr. Preston , in the Lees’ home. Mr. Preston announces that he and Henry’s father are trying... (full context)

Family Dynamics and Inheritance Theme Icon

Henry’s father explains that Mr. Preston wants to develop property in Japantown, and that he needs Henry’s father’s support as a... (full context)

Mr. Preston asks Henry to tell his father that Mr. Preston also wants to force the Japanese... (full context)

...continues to lie. Knowing that his father hates jazz music, Henry tells his father that Mr. Preston wants to turn the newspaper building and vacant lot into a jazz club. The conversation... (full context)

Mr. Preston storms out with Chaz, just as Henry’s mother brings the tea into the room. Exhausted,... (full context)

...now, and that the former bully looks “small and weak.” Chaz says that his father, Mr. Preston , is still buying up buildings in the former Japantown. “When your girlfriend gets back... (full context)

...his father that he ran into Chaz Preston. He asks his father if he thinks Mr. Preston will try to buy the Panama Hotel. Henry’s father gives “a crooked smile,” and Henry... (full context)