Snow Falling On Cedars: A Literary Analysis

Romantic poetry is characterized by its length and verbosity, its use of sentimental imagery and themes, and its wistful tone. Moreover, romantic poetry tends to romanticize the past, longing for a time that is more innocent and pure than the big bad future. The past can be relatively recent, as in the times of mothers and grandmothers; or the past may refer to the classical era of history and ancient civilizations. During a time of industrialization and urbanization, a more pastoral past also became a common subject for discussion. A return to a simpler life, and an appreciation for nature, were also themes shared by all the romantic era poets. John Greenleaf Whittier's poem "Snow-bound" fills all the criteria for romantic poetry, and may even be the quintessential American romantic era poem. In "Snow-bound," a family is trapped inside their New England cabin. They use the opportunity for self-reflection, musing on the past, and bonding over their experiences. Natural imagery pervades the poem, which is narrative in style and epic in scope.

The early 1940’s were tough times for many Japanese living in America. This is all due to the Japanese and American conflict in World War II, after Japan decided to bomb Pearl Harbor. After this incident many Japanese-Americans were discriminated against and were thought of as bad Japanese instead of the Americans they were. A lot of these Japanese-Americans were unfairly sent to internment camps in the United States. This is also true of the incidents that take place in the fictional novel Snow Falling On Cedars, by David Guterson.

The beginning of World War II caused many Americans to spawn a deep hatred against anyone of Japanese decent. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, fear of the Japanese emerged in hearts all across America. White Americans felt threatened by Japan. The fear of Japan created a fear of its people and this fear created severe prejudice against anyone who looked like the “enemy.” During the war, and for many years after, Japanese Americans were victims of this fear. In the fictional novel Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson, Kabuo Miyamoto is an example of this victimization.

David Guterson's novel Snow Falling on Cedars undoubtedly holds high acclaim in its reputable attempt to show the prejudice between the Americans and Japanese after World War II and more importantly the prejudice that is unavoidably apart of human nature. The author of the criticism recognizes and brings to light the things done by Guterson throughout the novel. He refers to the animosity between people brought about by differences, the unwillingness to accept change, and also states that things end in a moral and justified manner.

It is mid 1950’s in predominantly white populated San Piedro Island. One of its residents has been murdered and another stands accused of the crime. From the first chapter and through the use of flashbacks, David Guterson makes us aware of the racism that exists in the small, West Coast island of San Piedro. The victim, Carl Heine, is of European descent; the accused man, Kabuo Miyamoto, is of Japanese ancestry. There also is a small community of Japanese residents on San Piedro Island. David Guterson’s novel Snow Falling on Cedars includes themes about love and war, but none is more central than racism and prejudice as a choice of the heart and mind of the individual. The

The novel opens with an investigation of the murder of Carl Heine, on San Piedro Island, in the winter of 1954. Kabuo Miyamoto is the accused killer of Carl Heine, a father of three and husband of Susan Marie Heine. Kabuo Miyamoto’s wife Hatsue is sat in the court, supporting her husband. The judge of the court is Llewellyn Fieldings and the bailiff is Ed Soames. Carl was a salmon gillnetter in Amity Harbor who seemed to not have any enemies. On September 16th, Carl’s body was found by the sheriff, Art Moran, and the deputy, Abel Martinson, on his boat entitled the Susan Marie entangled in the boat netting. Carl’s head had a dent in it, that Abel assumed he banged while falling off of the boat. Alvin Hooks, the persecutor, and Nelson

Hatsue had grown up to marry Kabuo, the man on trial, and Ishmael had lost an arm in the war against the Japanese. Ishmael was also one of the reporters covering Kabuo's trial, and found himself tempted to ignore the ethics of journalism taught to him by his father in order to satiate his bitterness toward Hatsue for ending their childhood romance. In delving deeper into the issues that deal with Kabuo's trial, the effects of war, and the romance between young Ishmael and Hatsue, Snow Falling on Cedars explores human emotion and behavior with astonishing accuracy.

“Ishmael……. Understood this too: that accident ruled every corner of the universe except the chambers of the human heart”

In the passage be ginning “They had picked…” from the novel Snow Falling On Cedars, the author, David Guterson, uses many techniques to give the passage a depressing, and frightening mood. He uses vivid imagery to describe Carl’s dead body. He also uses figurative language, such as metaphors and similes to show the severity of the situation. Finally, his diction shows the reader how reading about a crime scene can seem real if the word choice is right. All the techniques Guterson use help the reader to feel as if they were actually at the scene when Carl’s dead body was found in the ocean.

“Art Moran interviews a fishermen named Dale after Carl Heine’s death. The fishermen steers Art towards the direction of Kabuo Miyamoto, who had been out fishing that same night that Carl was killed. Dale really doesn’t remember which family member of the Miyamoto family was the captain of the Islander so this is how he explains his uncertainty by saying. “Suckers all look alike,” said Dale. “Never could tell them guys apart.” (Guterson 43). This quotes supports the theme of prejudice the author is trying to depict against the Japanese race for attacking America during World War II .Even though these were Japanese American citizen the white American believes that somehow they were responsible in some way with the attack on Pearl Harbor. Likewise, the novel shows Kabuo Miyamoto was being held responsible for committing the murder of Carl Heine because of his race instead of the facts of the

“Better to be safe than sorry.” This American proverb explains the need for Japanese internment camps in simple language. The threat of invasion, espionage, and Anti-Japanese sentiment all made it necessary for the removal of Japanese-American citizens to safe, habitable, and protected environments where the government could be sure that no harm befell them or the rest of the population.

From 1939 to 1945, the entire world was engaged in World War 2: the most destructive war fought in the history of mankind. Many lives around the world were deeply affected by this war. Some lost their lives, some lost family members and friends, and others had their daily lives wholly disrupted by the war. In addition, people experienced traumatic, tragic and eye-opening experiences that prompted them to consider the futility and fragility of human life, making them question the foundations of their moral beliefs. In Snow Falling on Cedars, David Guterson examines and depicts the effects of the war on the lives of many fictional Americans: Kabuo Miyamoto, Carl Heine and Ishmael Chamber, who enlisted to fight in the war; Hatsue and Fujiko Imada, who were sent to Japanese internment camps where they were isolated in inhumane conditions; Etta Heine and Helen Chambers, whose sons fought in the war. The primary character on whom Guterson focuses is Ishmael Chambers, whose life is greatly affected by World War 2. Before the war, Ishmael is a naive, good natured and accepting boy with a close relationship with Hatsue. The war damages his relationship with Hatsue, changing it into a tense and awkward one, and causes the loss of Hatsue’s respect for him. In addition, Ishmael changes from an optimistic boy to a cynical and cold man due to the war. Finally, Ishmael is accepting before the war, but he becomes racist towards the Japanese because of the war. Ultimately, Ishmael Chambers is a naive, optimistic and good-natured boy who is respected by Hatsue,

Through composers use of conflicting perspectives, a diverse set of values are presented, offering responders insight and a deeper understanding of political, social and economic incongruities within society. David Guterson’s courtroom drama, Snow Falling On Cedars (1994) utilises the symbolic setting of the court trial and the island of San Piedro as a microcosm to reflect the embedded racial discrimination within American society. The characterisation of Ishmael, as an embittered individual allows us to see the deleterious effects of cultural divides in society. Alma De Groen’s 1988 dystopic play ‘Rivers Of China’ examines Rahel’s individuality as an archetype for expressing one’s creative spirit and promoting change, suppressed by the totalitarian environment of the matriarchy. Audra, an archetypical character for compliance, holds an alternate opinion and fears progression, reflecting the gender inequity within Australia’s dividing society. Antony Jay’s and Jonathon Lynn’s political sit-com, Yes Minister ‘The Greasy Pole’ (1981), explores the disparity of perspectives between the caricatures, Jim Hacker, the minister, and the bureaucrat, Humphrey Appleby, through the use self-parody to expose that politicians will take politically expedient decisions rather than impose beneficial legislation, illustrating the inherent failures of the Westminster system.

In “Snow Falling on Cedars,” during an investigation of a murder, Horace Whaley who has racial prejudice against Japanese provides an evidence that intentionally points to the Japanese-American Miyamoto. Whaley told the sheriff Art Moran that Carl’s head wound resembled wounds he had seen inflicted by Japanese soldiers skilled in the martial art of kendo (Guterson 58). However, in Japanese culture, the Kendo is a Japanese martial art. The ancient stick fighting heritage and being top in his class makes him look like a murderer. The reason for this weaponry is because of the need of self-defense and uses it for protection. Because Whaley hates Japanese and believes that Japanese are monsters, he has a pre-existing belief that Miyamoto is the

Within the small, hallow space between Greed and Sloth, Discontent lies, dormant and unrecognized. They prey upon those weary, malcontented souls who have nought to do but ruminate upon what they do not have, rather than upon the great many things they do. And in a decrepit shack in the Evergreens, Discontent lures those who would decide to feed off its disquieting presence. They first hear the sounds of a fire roaring, burning, consuming. Then, they will feel their arms and legs grow heavy and weak, straining for every modicum of movement. Finally, they will see their greatest desire, whether it be power, or wealth, or affection, just beyond the line of trees, and they will be helpless to resist the thrall. They will travel for miles and