Analysis of Romance in Snow Falling on Cedars
Analysis of Romance in Snow Falling on Cedars
In the novel Snow falling on Cedars, by David Guterson, the theme of the novel is the love conflict between Ishmael and Hatsue. Ishmael is in love with Hatsue from when they are very little to when they are grown up. Ishmael thinks that Hatsue will love him just like he loves her. As children Ishmael and Hatsue play together in a hollow cedar tree. They have many memories in the hollow cedar tree, which turn into many complications about racial issues. Ishmael is in love with Hatsue as soon as he notices her body and her beauty. Hatsue is in love with Ishmael but knows is wrong and deceitful. They have become young lovers and explore their bodies in the hollow cedar trees.
Ishmael and Hatsue try to hide their love from everyone by sending each other letters. Ishmael sends Hatsue a letter when Hatsue is in a concentration camp. Her sister finds the letter and shows their mom. The letter reads,
My love, I still go to our cedar tree in the afternoons every day. I shut my eyes, waiting. I smell your smell and I dream of you and ache for you to come home. Every moment I think of you and long to hold and feel you. Missing you is killing me. It’s like a part of me has gone away. I’m lonely and miserable and think of you always and hope you will write me right away. Remember to use Kenny Yamashita’s name for a return address on the envelope so my parents won’t get too curious. Everything here is horrible and sad and life is not worth living…without you I have nothing. – All my love forever, Ishmael
Hatsue’s mom shows the letters to Hatsue and she has to explain that she knows it is wrong and explains that she is going to stay away from Ishmael. Ishmael is in love with Hatsue and thinks that nothing is going to get in the way. Hatsue knows it wrong. She writes him and tells him, “I knew with certainty that everything was wrong. I knew that we could never be right together and that soon I would have to tell you so.” (Guterson 354)....