What do Jeanne’s baton twirling and parade participation reveal about her desires and her fathers desires? How does this revelation help develop a theme of the novel?

Baton twirling is a very American practice. Jeanne is used to traditional Japanese practices. She finds baton twirling as a chance to assimilate more into American culture. It is separate from what her father demands a young girl should practice. It develpes the themes of both assimilation and rebellion.