snow falling on cedars

When we look at the end of the novel and at the beginning, we notice similarities and differences in the love life of Ishmael as a little boy and grown up man.

To start with, I want to discuss his childhood. He grew up with Hatsue, a Japanese girl. They were only good friends, but a closer inspection reveals, that they fell in love. Ishmael and Hatsue weren’t friends in public, because of their differences. Identical to the situation when he got older. American influences allowed Hatsue to have an affair with him, nonetheless her Japanese influences said she should forget him. They always played earlier in the wood, to a cedar. There they kissed first time. In contrast to Ishmael who was determined to keep that feeling forever and wanted to marry her, Hatsue knew that it wasn’t forever. Hatsue broke up with him and she and her family ushered to an interment camp. During her first kiss with the Japanese Kabuo, she remembered Ishmael. Identical to Ishmael, who remembered how Hatsue didn’t want him. On the contrary to Ishmael, Kabuo didn’t spend as much time with Hatsue as Ishmael did, but she married him for helping her to get over Ishmael. Alternatively to Ishmael who began to hate her, she spent her time putting Ishmael out of her life. He addressed a letter to her and told her how much he hates her, but he never mailed. When he was a grown up man, he met Hatsue in a courtroom where Kabuo was defend. They talked about injustice together and the situation was strained. She meant injustice in the trial in contrast to Ishmael, who meant the injustice that she hadn’t gave a chance to them. In the end he found proofs which would relieve Kabuo. Instead of immediately telling it to a judge, he considered if he would get back Hatsue, when Kabuo will get arrested. Nevertheless he told it to the judge and Kabuo got free. Although she didn’t come back to him he felt good, because he just wanted the best to her. In thanks she hugged him...