BaMBoO GrOvE FiNAl PoST #5

1: I was mostly happy with the ending, and ending on the note of finding Hideyo was a really good idea. I think that without the epilouge, where it tells you what happened to her father, im not sure i would have been too happy! I think that Yoko could not have done a better job with the ending, and it was a good way to leave us hanging on what happened to her father, and having Hideyo come home at the very end. This makes you somewhat satisfied with the ending, but keeps you interested even when the book is over.



2: I think that they wanted to keep a little reminder of who they really were even though they had to act otherwise. The family wants to keep a little piece of home with them through the hard times. I think that through these little customs, the Kawashimas remind themselves that they will always have each other and their traditions. Its like a sentimental thing.



3: I admire the whole family for being so strong through this horrible event. If i had to pick 1 person, it would be Yoko. I really saw the most change in Yoko. She went from sort of spoiled, to aprreciating what she had and just being alive. She grew so much over the course of the book. She wanted to complain, but she didnt, because she realized that it wouldnt do any good.



4: I learned a lot, but mostly about the traditions the Japanese and Koreans had. For example, the Japanese carried rucksacks on thier backs, and the Koreans carried a bag on thier hips. I also learned about the historical events going on at the time of the war. The Korean army wasnt all made up of evil people, but they were forced to fight against the Japanese because the government held a grudge against them. I also learned what life was like in a refugee camp, not very good.



5: I think that the moral of the story is that you should never give up. The Kawishimas never gave up, and that helped them through the tough times. They also grew stronger mentally, and gained a feeling that they could accomplish anything. Like Yoko says, "I competed with life and death when young, and I won."

1: Yoko wants to help Mr. Nadio because he is the only person who is nice to Yoko at school. They have a lot in common, but especially the fact that nobody really tries to understand or be freindly towards them. They both seem to be outcasts in a way. They have seen true pain, and they both understand that about each other. She helps him try to speak clearer and stutter less.

2: I think Yoko realizes that Ko will do anything for her younger sister. I think Yoko sees that she means a lot to Ko , and that Ko really cares about her. Yoko's additude changes from thinking that Ko is just her sister, to really respecting and admiring her sincerely. She never really thought Ko would do something just fo her.

3: What do you think happened to Hideyo when he passed out at the farm? What do you think will happen next?

ANSWER: I think the people in the barn will take him in and give him a place to stay. I dont think that the people care about politics, they just want to make it through winter. If the people he encouters there are in fact Korean comuunists, I think its safe to say that he is pretty much done.

Op #3

1:

A: They see more soldiers raping those girls at the party. That would be a good enough reason for me to leave. The book says "The womens shrieks echoed" when the Korean communists are celebrating their independence. Thats really horrible if you think about it, it might seem funny but it wouldnt be funny if you saw it happen.

B: I think Hideyo would understand why they had to leave and would have done the same thing in their position. It was smart to leave when they did because the Koreans might get even more crazy and start killing people just for fun or because theyre drunk.

2:
What would you do if you had to leave one of your family members behind? how would you react and feel?

If I was in the same situation as Yoko, Ko and ther mother, I would have done the same thing. I know that any of my family members would completely understand. I think it was smart that they left, even if it was really hard to leave someone behind.

BaMBoO gRoVE pOsT # 2

1: Hideyo thinks of himself as a man old enough to make his own way in life. At times he can be stubborn, and say things he might not mean. Like when he oes to join the army, he doesnt realize that this may lead to his death. With all the pleading and arguing that he does with his family members, he realizes that going to the battlefront may not be the best idea. Hideyo can keep his cool under pressure, and i can relate to that because I get calm under stress.

2: If i had to leave my house in ten minutes, I would bring as much as I could carry! I would bring food, lots of water, some spare cothes, and pictures of my family. Its better than having nothing to remember them by. i would avoid taking anything that might weigh me down or things that are unnecesary.

3: I think that the moment I would have found most upsetting would be either when Hideyo saw his freind get shot right in front of him or stepping out of that tunnel and realizing you were covered in blood. I think Hideyo has seen the most bloody part of the war and understands what is really going on in korea. Hideyo has seen his freinds shot and been covered in blood. That to me is the most disturbing part because you would realize what had happened and realize how far this is going to go. People are being killed out of hate, and the communists will stop at nothing to see the ones they hate dead.