Chapter 2: Point of View & Character Shifts in When the Emperor Was Divine
Chapter 2 close reading questions for When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka. Practice POV, characterization, and thematic analysis with Lit & Lens Society.
Lit & Lens Society Weekly Practice
As we continue reading Julie Otsuka’s When the Emperor Was Divine, we shift into a new chapter—and a new perspective.
Chapter 2, titled “Train,” takes us into the mind of the girl as she and her family begin their forced relocation. This chapter challenges us to think about point of view and how narrative distance shapes our understanding of character, memory, and trauma.
In this week’s Lit & Lens Society practice set, you’ll look closely at the changing POV, the girl’s relationships with the men around her, and how her internal world is beginning to shift.
🧠 What You’ll Practice in Chapter 2
- Identifying narrator point of view and understanding its impact
- Characterizing the girl through what she says, does, and observes
- Analyzing relationships: the girl and her father, the girl and her brother
- Tracking how perspective changes from Chapter 1’s focus on the woman
- Noticing how details about strangers on the train hint at deeper themes: fear, coming of age, and power
🗂️ How to Use This Practice Set
You can complete the questions section by section or all at once—whatever fits your pace:
- Focus deeply on one section if you're short on time
- Want a challenge? Analyze the full chapter and synthesize your thoughts in a short paragraph or audio reflection
- Bring your responses to our next discussion or peer exchange
