The main conflicts in the novel Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson are Kabuo vs. Society, Ishmael vs. Society, Ishmael vs. Self and Ishmael vs. Hatsue. Kabuo was accused of murdering Carl Heine, and is therefore opposing the criminal justice system. He must find a way to prove himself innocent, or he will be imprisoned for a crime that he didn’t commit. The justice system is also very large and overpowering, so Kabuo must stand up for himself in a big way in order to make any change. Additionally, being of Japanese descent, Kabuo is also hated by most of his peers, since the Japanese were considered enemies throughout World War II. This makes Kabuo’s first conflict even more difficult, since it will be almost impossible to prove to the rest of the island that a Japanese person is innocent and kind-hearted.
Next, Ishmael is the town reporter, and therefore has to find evidence to prove whether Kabuo, a friend of his, is guilty or innocent. He was also friends with the deceased, Carl Heine, and wishes to find justice so that Carl’s death does not go unsolved. This conflict can be seen as Man vs. Society, since he must convince the judge and the rest of San Piedro that Kabuo is either guilty or innocent, or Man vs. Self, because he also wants to find out the truth for himself. This could lead to the dilemma of doing what is right, or doing what could help him get closer to Hatsue.
This leads to the last conflict between Ishmael and Hatsue. Ishmael outwardly displays strong feelings for Hatsue and clearly cares about her very much, since he was so worried about her reaction to him outside the courtroom. The author also states that he was Hatsue’s first kiss and that she lied to Kabuo, her husband, about it, which shows that there may still be a spark between her and Ishmael. Ishmael also says that the sadness in Hatsue’s eyes will stay in his mind forever, meaning that he will always be thinking of her. This foreshadows that some relationship may form between Ishmael and Hatsue, which would create a very tense environment between them and Kabuo and his case. Therefore, Ishmael must choose between his friend, Kabuo, and his love, Hatsue.
I wonder if the man vs. society conflict is very slightly similar to Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird." I honestly can't remember, but that was the first thing that came to mind upon reading your work. And I suppose many people come to a crossroad in their lives where they must choose between the two types of love.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Angela! You described the many intertwined issues in such an animated fashion. This makes me interested in the book you've chosen.
Wow I love how in every novel, there is at least one example of some sort of discrimination. In your novel, you mention that Kabuo is hated because he is Japanese. In my novel "Towelhead", the protagonist Jasira is also discriminated against by her peers because his father is Arabian (hence the name "Towelhead". But my novel aside, your novel seems extremely interesting in the way that it has two main conflicts happening at once! Which conflict would you say is the main conflict of your novel:
ReplyDelete1) Kabuo trying to prove his innocence, or
2) the "underground" relationship between Ishmael and Katsue? =]