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Symbolism In Snow Falling On Cedars

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Symbolism In Snow Falling On Cedars
Composition One Symbolism is all over the novel Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson. All the symbols throughout the novel help convey the storyline. David Guterson constantly brings up the symbols to help keep the story flowing and to help develop several different ideas and opinions about the characters. Racism, snow, and the cedar tree are just three of the numerous symbols used in this novel. Racism signifies discrimination, hatred, and individuality. Snow represents destruction, unpredictable events, as well as the coldness in everyone’s hearts. Lastly, the cedar tree indicates love and peace, along with untruthfulness.
Racism was horrible on San Piedro Island between Caucasians “whites” and Japanese “Japs”. Even if you were born …show more content…
Hatsue and Ismael would spend hours upon hours in a hollow cedar tree. The cedar tree was contently in the woods close to their houses. They would admire each other. They would take in the beauties of nature. The cedar tree was an escape route for their love and affection. “We don’t go out-that isn’t the right word-we can’t go out, Ishmael. We’re trapped inside this tree.” (207) Hatsue and Ismael cannot go out in to the world as lovers. There only option to continue as secret lovers is to keep in in this tree. All there love is confined into this small space. Hatsue has second thoughts about being trapped in the cedar tree with Ismael. Hatsue knew she was betraying her family. After all, she did have a face of a Japanese. She had no business being with a white man.
David Guterson used a great deal of symbolism throughout the novel Snow Falling on Cedars. Racism is huge during the course of the novel. Racism consumes the hearts of the San Piedro Islanders. They believe Japanese have no power. It tears a wonderful relationship between Hatsue and Ishmael away. Another big symbol is the snow. The snowstorm brought lots of damage all over the island, and made it just about impossible to go anywhere. In addition, the last major symbol in this novel is the cedar tree where Ishmael and Hatsue kept their love a
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