Comparing A Single Shard And The Year Of The Dog
Growing up is one of life’s greatest adventures with no definite time span. Finding individual identity is a never ending journey, but discoveries are made along the way. The characters in Linda Sue Park’s A Single Shard and Grace Lin’s The Year of the Dog explore the world around them and find themselves in the process. The contrasting characters come from different time periods, family dynamics, ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic status, but they share a common objective; searching for their purpose in life and discovering their personal identity along the way. The lessons learned and the contrast in the background of the characters is what makes this journey so intriguing.
A child’s upbringing and the relationships they build help develop the foundation of who they are as a person. Lin begins …show more content…
the The Year of the Dog by outlining the main character, Pacy, and her family dynamics. Pacy is an American born adolescent girl in the 21st century. She lives in an affluent and loving New York home with her first generation Taiwanese parents. She has an older and younger sister that challenge and entertain her daily. There is always food on the table and they divulge in many traditions. Pacy has a desirable and healthy upbringing, which is a stark contrast from the upbringing of Tree-ear, the main character from Park’s A Single Shard. Born in 12th century Korea, Tree-ear’s parents died of fever when he was a baby. He is sent to live with an uncle in another village, but his uncle no longer lives there and he is left with Crane-man. He is raised under the bridge with the love and protection of Crane-man. They are constantly scavenging for food, but that doesn’t stop them from sharing stories and enjoying time together.
Even though Pacy and Tree-ear come from nearly opposite upbringings, they are each surrounded by people who genuinely care, encourage and want the best for them. They each receive different advice, but with a message that teaches them about their own personal morals and identity. Pacy’s mother teaches her daughter lessons through her own personal stories. When Pacy begins to create her book for the contest, she seems to doubt her ability and ideas. Her dad tells her about the importance of practicing and “Everything takes time and effort” (p. 54). Pacy’s mother proceeds to tell her about grandma and the paper piano. Even though her mother grew up poor and couldn’t afford a real piano, that didn’t stop her from practicing and learning how to play. Her grandmother painted piano keys on paper and she was determined to learn how to play. This lesson of determination and perseverance inspires Pacy to continue brainstorming ideas, write and complete her book.
Crane-man also provides advice to Tree-ear in a different manner. In contrast to Pacy’s mother, Crane-man uses inspirational quotes and rhetorical questions to aid Tree-ear. After Tree-ear is confronted by the fox along his quest, he hides and falls asleep between two boulders (p. 114). When he awakens and discovers he is ok, he remembers the words of his friend, Crane-man, “We are afraid of the things we do not know-just because we do not know them.” Tree-ear may not have realized what this quote meant at the time, but in this moment he discovered something about himself; he can’t go through life living in fear. He gains confidence and is determined to complete his quest.
As their journey to self discovering continues, both characters experience discrimination or question their identity. Pacy goes to a Taiwanese-American Camp to meet more kids that have a similar background. She meets some girls who question Pacy’s cultural upbringing. The young girls make fun of her and call her a Twinkie referencing the Pacy has been Americanized, “yellow on the outside but white on the inside” (p. 101). This hurts Pacy and sends her into an identity crisis. Her mother reassures her that her blended race is what makes her interesting and she can be neither or both. Pacy’s mother is trying to tell her that she is an individual and was blessed with being a part of multiple cultures, however it is up to her it chose her personal identity.
Tree-ear is also faced with an unexpected situation that seems unfair and out of his control. He finally gains the courage to ask Min what he truly desires; to be taught to make a pot (p. 94). However, Min’s words, “Know this orphan boy, if ever you learn to make a pot, it will not be from me. You are not my son,” broke Tree-ear’s spirit and he started questioning his path. Crane-man reassures him, “the same wind that blows one door shut often blows another open” (p. 97). Tree-ear doesn’t know the meaning of the metaphor at first, but the process of understanding it is what leads him to continue his quest. Each of these situations test the importance of the characters’ personal history, but ultimately helps them realize that where they come from does not determine who they are. One of the main differences between the characters finding their identity is that Pacy’s is more obvious and short term than Tree-ear.
Pacy and her sisters discuss what they want to be when they grow up (p. 12-13). Pacy realizes that she must pick something that she is talented at and so begins her year search to "figure things out." She sets a goal and a specific time frame to achieve it. Tree-Ear’s path is more ambiguous and the goal he sets isn’t directly based on finding himself, but finding something he loves to do. Tree-ear begins working for Min with hope to learn the trade in return. After working many months for Min, his goal seems to be more long term without a definite timeline. Pacy seems more proactive in obtaining her goal and discusses her desires with her family and friend, Melody. She jumps into many new situations and challenges herself, like auditioning for the play and creating a project for the science fair. These situations do not go as planned, but instead of letting them become setbacks, Pacy uses them as building blocks to help her move on to her next venture. She shows her courage by continuing to try new things and pursuing her book
writing.
Tree-ear is similar to Pacy; he doesn’t allow unforeseen circumstances to discourage him. Even when he drops and breaks Min’s container, injures himself chopping wood, and discovers he cannot learn the pottery trade, Tree-ear still continues forward not only for himself, but for the benefit of others. The epic moment in Tree-ears journey is when he was confronted by robbers and they throw the vases over the cliff (p. 125). “Failure. The most dishonorable failure,” Tree-ear thought to himself after he was unable to keep the vases safe. For a moment he had given up, but after remembering the story of the women who stepped toward the cliff to jump, he realizes that courage comes in many forms. He finds his inner strength to look for the vases and continues on his journey.
By the end of each story, Pacy and Tree-ear reveal something about themselves through conflict and reward. Pacy gets 4th place in the National book competition and wins $400. "I found myself," she exclaims (p. 120) "I am going to make books when I grow up." She discovers something she loves to do and is rewarded by it, externally and internally. She wins the money and makes her family and friend proud, but fulfills her personal goal by finding her identity. Tree-ear completes his journey by bringing a single shard to Emissary Kim, where Min is assigned a commission. Upon arriving home, Tree-ear’s spirits are broken by the loss of his friend, Crane-man. At a moment when he seems defeated, a glimpse of hope appears. Min and his wife offer Tree-ear to stay with them and Min exclaims, “How are you to help me if you do not have a wheel of your own?” (p. 146). Tree-ear is then rewarded externally and internally as well. Not only can he help Min and learn the trade, but he also achieves his goal and finds his self-worth.
People and situations in life help you become who you truly are and both authors use Pacy and Tree-ear’s search not only to create structure within the book, but also to relate it to real life events. Pacy and Tree-ear allow readers to make connections and empathize with characters even though they live in a different place, time, and culture. Theses differences not only make them unique, but tie them together in similar ways. They both follow different paths of self discovery that guide them to the same destination. Pacy and Tree-ear learn and grow through their experiences, which ultimately leads to their individual identity.
A child’s upbringing and the relationships they build help develop the foundation of who they are as a person. Lin begins …show more content…
the The Year of the Dog by outlining the main character, Pacy, and her family dynamics. Pacy is an American born adolescent girl in the 21st century. She lives in an affluent and loving New York home with her first generation Taiwanese parents. She has an older and younger sister that challenge and entertain her daily. There is always food on the table and they divulge in many traditions. Pacy has a desirable and healthy upbringing, which is a stark contrast from the upbringing of Tree-ear, the main character from Park’s A Single Shard. Born in 12th century Korea, Tree-ear’s parents died of fever when he was a baby. He is sent to live with an uncle in another village, but his uncle no longer lives there and he is left with Crane-man. He is raised under the bridge with the love and protection of Crane-man. They are constantly scavenging for food, but that doesn’t stop them from sharing stories and enjoying time together.
Even though Pacy and Tree-ear come from nearly opposite upbringings, they are each surrounded by people who genuinely care, encourage and want the best for them. They each receive different advice, but with a message that teaches them about their own personal morals and identity. Pacy’s mother teaches her daughter lessons through her own personal stories. When Pacy begins to create her book for the contest, she seems to doubt her ability and ideas. Her dad tells her about the importance of practicing and “Everything takes time and effort” (p. 54). Pacy’s mother proceeds to tell her about grandma and the paper piano. Even though her mother grew up poor and couldn’t afford a real piano, that didn’t stop her from practicing and learning how to play. Her grandmother painted piano keys on paper and she was determined to learn how to play. This lesson of determination and perseverance inspires Pacy to continue brainstorming ideas, write and complete her book.
Crane-man also provides advice to Tree-ear in a different manner. In contrast to Pacy’s mother, Crane-man uses inspirational quotes and rhetorical questions to aid Tree-ear. After Tree-ear is confronted by the fox along his quest, he hides and falls asleep between two boulders (p. 114). When he awakens and discovers he is ok, he remembers the words of his friend, Crane-man, “We are afraid of the things we do not know-just because we do not know them.” Tree-ear may not have realized what this quote meant at the time, but in this moment he discovered something about himself; he can’t go through life living in fear. He gains confidence and is determined to complete his quest.
As their journey to self discovering continues, both characters experience discrimination or question their identity. Pacy goes to a Taiwanese-American Camp to meet more kids that have a similar background. She meets some girls who question Pacy’s cultural upbringing. The young girls make fun of her and call her a Twinkie referencing the Pacy has been Americanized, “yellow on the outside but white on the inside” (p. 101). This hurts Pacy and sends her into an identity crisis. Her mother reassures her that her blended race is what makes her interesting and she can be neither or both. Pacy’s mother is trying to tell her that she is an individual and was blessed with being a part of multiple cultures, however it is up to her it chose her personal identity.
Tree-ear is also faced with an unexpected situation that seems unfair and out of his control. He finally gains the courage to ask Min what he truly desires; to be taught to make a pot (p. 94). However, Min’s words, “Know this orphan boy, if ever you learn to make a pot, it will not be from me. You are not my son,” broke Tree-ear’s spirit and he started questioning his path. Crane-man reassures him, “the same wind that blows one door shut often blows another open” (p. 97). Tree-ear doesn’t know the meaning of the metaphor at first, but the process of understanding it is what leads him to continue his quest. Each of these situations test the importance of the characters’ personal history, but ultimately helps them realize that where they come from does not determine who they are. One of the main differences between the characters finding their identity is that Pacy’s is more obvious and short term than Tree-ear.
Pacy and her sisters discuss what they want to be when they grow up (p. 12-13). Pacy realizes that she must pick something that she is talented at and so begins her year search to "figure things out." She sets a goal and a specific time frame to achieve it. Tree-Ear’s path is more ambiguous and the goal he sets isn’t directly based on finding himself, but finding something he loves to do. Tree-ear begins working for Min with hope to learn the trade in return. After working many months for Min, his goal seems to be more long term without a definite timeline. Pacy seems more proactive in obtaining her goal and discusses her desires with her family and friend, Melody. She jumps into many new situations and challenges herself, like auditioning for the play and creating a project for the science fair. These situations do not go as planned, but instead of letting them become setbacks, Pacy uses them as building blocks to help her move on to her next venture. She shows her courage by continuing to try new things and pursuing her book
writing.
Tree-ear is similar to Pacy; he doesn’t allow unforeseen circumstances to discourage him. Even when he drops and breaks Min’s container, injures himself chopping wood, and discovers he cannot learn the pottery trade, Tree-ear still continues forward not only for himself, but for the benefit of others. The epic moment in Tree-ears journey is when he was confronted by robbers and they throw the vases over the cliff (p. 125). “Failure. The most dishonorable failure,” Tree-ear thought to himself after he was unable to keep the vases safe. For a moment he had given up, but after remembering the story of the women who stepped toward the cliff to jump, he realizes that courage comes in many forms. He finds his inner strength to look for the vases and continues on his journey.
By the end of each story, Pacy and Tree-ear reveal something about themselves through conflict and reward. Pacy gets 4th place in the National book competition and wins $400. "I found myself," she exclaims (p. 120) "I am going to make books when I grow up." She discovers something she loves to do and is rewarded by it, externally and internally. She wins the money and makes her family and friend proud, but fulfills her personal goal by finding her identity. Tree-ear completes his journey by bringing a single shard to Emissary Kim, where Min is assigned a commission. Upon arriving home, Tree-ear’s spirits are broken by the loss of his friend, Crane-man. At a moment when he seems defeated, a glimpse of hope appears. Min and his wife offer Tree-ear to stay with them and Min exclaims, “How are you to help me if you do not have a wheel of your own?” (p. 146). Tree-ear is then rewarded externally and internally as well. Not only can he help Min and learn the trade, but he also achieves his goal and finds his self-worth.
People and situations in life help you become who you truly are and both authors use Pacy and Tree-ear’s search not only to create structure within the book, but also to relate it to real life events. Pacy and Tree-ear allow readers to make connections and empathize with characters even though they live in a different place, time, and culture. Theses differences not only make them unique, but tie them together in similar ways. They both follow different paths of self discovery that guide them to the same destination. Pacy and Tree-ear learn and grow through their experiences, which ultimately leads to their individual identity.