Snow Falling on Cedars: Book Analysis
Christopher Joinson Joinson 1
Dr. Karen Sheehan
Eng 12
4 December 2009
True love’s course is derailed by the rippling wake of prejudice in Snow Falling on Cedars. In this very well written novel, we are reminded of the sheer destructive force of unjustified hatred. David Guterson brings to life a romance that seems so destined to be, just to have it ruined by social turmoil. It plays to a sympathetic heart that so much is lost because of the shape of one’s face. “Look at my face,” interrupted Hatsue. “Look at my eyes, Ishmael. My face is the face of the people who did it-don’t you see what I mean? My face-it’s how the Japanese look.” (Guterson, p.139) This paper will focus on three characters whose lives in this story are changed forever in the face of fear, panic, and above all racism. The setting takes place in the Pacific Northwest, an island named San Piedro, which is set off the coast of the state of Washington. It is a close knit community with a large concentration of Japanese immigrants. They, like many small islands have a large fishing community, but they also have good land for farming. The time frame ranges from the late 1930’s, through World War Two, and up to the year 1954. The setting, especially the time, is an extremely crucial integral part of the entire story’s relevance when investigating the prejudicial aspects.
As during all time periods, Guterson’s characters have their own unique outlooks and views. Some characters go with the social norms by treating Japanese people unfairly, as if they were able to change who they were. Some white residents went to Joinson 2 cruel lengths to alienate people who had, just as they had, come to America seeking opportunity. “Thirty-nine Japanese worked at Port Jefferson mill, but the census taker neglected to list them by name, referring to the as Jap Number 1, Jap Number 2, Jap Number 3, Japan Charlie, Old Jap Sam, Laughing Jap, Dwarf Jap, Chippy, Boots, and
Dr. Karen Sheehan
Eng 12
4 December 2009
True love’s course is derailed by the rippling wake of prejudice in Snow Falling on Cedars. In this very well written novel, we are reminded of the sheer destructive force of unjustified hatred. David Guterson brings to life a romance that seems so destined to be, just to have it ruined by social turmoil. It plays to a sympathetic heart that so much is lost because of the shape of one’s face. “Look at my face,” interrupted Hatsue. “Look at my eyes, Ishmael. My face is the face of the people who did it-don’t you see what I mean? My face-it’s how the Japanese look.” (Guterson, p.139) This paper will focus on three characters whose lives in this story are changed forever in the face of fear, panic, and above all racism. The setting takes place in the Pacific Northwest, an island named San Piedro, which is set off the coast of the state of Washington. It is a close knit community with a large concentration of Japanese immigrants. They, like many small islands have a large fishing community, but they also have good land for farming. The time frame ranges from the late 1930’s, through World War Two, and up to the year 1954. The setting, especially the time, is an extremely crucial integral part of the entire story’s relevance when investigating the prejudicial aspects.
As during all time periods, Guterson’s characters have their own unique outlooks and views. Some characters go with the social norms by treating Japanese people unfairly, as if they were able to change who they were. Some white residents went to Joinson 2 cruel lengths to alienate people who had, just as they had, come to America seeking opportunity. “Thirty-nine Japanese worked at Port Jefferson mill, but the census taker neglected to list them by name, referring to the as Jap Number 1, Jap Number 2, Jap Number 3, Japan Charlie, Old Jap Sam, Laughing Jap, Dwarf Jap, Chippy, Boots, and
Cited: Guterson, David. “Snow Falling on Cedars” 1st Ed. Harcourt Brace and Company, New York 1994