Bamboo Grove final post

1. I found the end wasn't satisfying, and that it should have been more explained rather than the sudden end without any knowledge of the father or Ko, or what happens after that. Why can't they explain more about what happens after, and how they survive? All I know is that the Kawashima family escaped from Korea, Hideyo survived, and they all found each other eventually.
I really have no idea why she chose to end it there. Maybe it's just that nothing exciting happens after that, maybe it's that it's best told that way. Maybe even because Yoko wants us to imagine the rest of the story.



2. I think they do this because they think that the gods might help them, and maybe they just have gotten used to that. I think it keeps them happy knowing that they are Japanese and take pride in it. No matter how poor, unhealthy, or badly treated they are, they are still Japanese and wish to show it to the world. If I were in this position, I probably wouldn't observe any traditions, because we have none and there are more important things.



3. The character in the story I respect and admire the most is Hideyo. He really cares about his family, as anyone should. I like how he keeps going even though it looks like all hope is lost. I also like the way he is friendly to everyone, and helps even when it is not necessary. At one point he asks himself if he should keep going, and he keeps going to find his family. As one person said, you are strongest when you are protecting someone, and Hideyo is protecting his family by finding them.



4. I learned that the Korean war was very dangerous, and it was a hard time for Japanese in Korea. Many were injured or killed. Whoever opposed communism was eliminated. Women were raped, and it was a dangerous time. The Kawashimas might have died, but luckily they survived. I don't really have many questions, and I don't really want to know any more of it.

5. From this book, I learned a lot about human nature. I learned that the most important thing is family, and that the most happiness and sadness come from it. I think that pure strength comes from protecting loved ones, which is why Hideyo made it. Losing someone can cause a lot of sadness, and finding someone that has been gone can bring the most joy in the world.