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.

Bamboo Grove Reading Response #4

1. I think Yoko wants to help Mr. Naido because he and she share a common problem, and Yoko wants to know him better. Yoko helps him cure his stuttering by speaking slowly, like her father did to help a classmate, and she helps him also because she needs school supplies, and she finds out that he has them. He also helps him cure his loneliness, which is something they both share, as she was rejected by her classmates and Naido was rejected by the Japaneese navy.

2. Yoko realises that Ko's idea is shining shoes for money for her, and she realises that she is a good sister after all. She sees that Ko cares about her, and works so hard just to get good food for Yoko. Yoko becomes really nice to her after that, and wants to give back with the good meal that she bought.

3. After all that Yoko has been through, how do you think she has changed overall?

I think that she has become a lot tougher and less whiney. She is more accepting to the bumps of life, and she becomes more appreciative of the things she has. She is also warming up to her sister, and she tries to ignore bad things that can be ignored.

Bamboo Grove Reading Response #3

1. They feel that they must leave for Pusan because they have a ship leaving for Japan there, and the doctor said that all patients were leaving for Pusan. Also, they must leave anyways because of the danger in Korea, with all the rapes. An example from the text is on page 79: "All patients will leave for Pusan by truck by the end of the month. A hospital ship will be leaving from there for japan on October second. Come with us back to 0ur homeland."
EDIT: (so sorry, I didn't see part b.)
b. I think it was a good, but hard descision because it's hard to leave family behind, but they just need to for their own safety. They were at risk, so they had to. I really hope that they meet up eventually.

2. Why do you think even the Korean non-communists are being killed?

I think it's because they don't follow the rules and have independence, but the communists only think of it as disobedience.

Bamboo Grove Reading Response #2

1. Hideyo is a very caring, protective comrade to his friends. He travels so far in order to be with is family, which he cares very much about. He works very hard at whatever he does. He is very tough and courageous, because even though his friend died right before his eyes, he didn't make a sound for fear of being discovered. His family is in a very tight situation, and going with them would mean trouble, but he does it anyways, which is very morally courageous.

2. I would bring some portable food, such as some snacks, cup noodles, etc. I would also bring a canteen full of water, and a spork to eat with. I would bring a bandanna to wrap around my mouth in case of fire, and a flashlight, with of course extra batteries. I would also bring a blanket and a pillow. I might also bring a pack of cards, and of course my treasured items. I would bring a bit of currency, my ipod, and last but not least, a cell phone to contact relatives, friends, etc.

3. The absolute saddest event in this book is when the baby called Toshi-chan died, and the mother committed suicide. It is so sad, and for an obvious reason. I still am shocked that the wonam killed herself, but it's reasonable because her only child died right after birth. How sad it must've been to watch it. I can't imagine bearing to watch it, and I would be very scared and sad.

Bamboo Grove Reading Response #1

1. Yoko is a girl who is very scared of the war. She doesn't want to do things the way others want her to do. Stubborn she may be, if the situation demands, she will follow orders. There are many examples in the text, such as page 36 where she is told to put her blanket on a blood-stained new mother, but she says "No! I don't want my blanket stained with blood." After being told one more time, she put it on, which shows that she has some good in her.





2. I think that Yoko is a bit annoyed by Ko, but she appreciates having a sister to help her. Also, I'm pretty sure in their culture they call them Honorable. Maybe she is just so used to calling her Honorable Sister, and maybe she was good back then. An example was when she said "It's mean of Honorable Sister." Ko has good intentions, and needs to find a way to explain it.



3. The Kawishima family is very kind to the passengers because they gave their food, even though they didn't have any to eat, and they refrained from eating so they wouldn't cause the passengers displeasure. Even though Yoko is reluctant and stubborn, she gives up her things for the greater good. Ko and Mother are very giving. On the train they give up some of their things to help people, such as giving water to the passengers. They help each other and others in the toughest of situations, and are very generous.