Snow Falling On Cedars Essay

In the novel, Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson, the protagonist Ishmael Chambers surrenders evidence on the innocence of a man named Kabuo Miyamoto who is Hatsue Imada’s husband. Chambers actions demonstrates that he values justice over his own happiness. By not letting his bitterness get the best of him, Chambers sacrifices his hope for happiness with Hatsue and brings Kabuo Miyamoto his freedom.
Ishmael Chambers bringing forth the evidence helps reveals Chambers capacity to forgive. When he returned from the war, Chambers turned vile towards Hatsue. He blamed the Japanese for losing his arm when in fact he has no one but himself to blame. He also kept his distance from everyone. He spoke as he did to Hatsue because after Hatsue broke up with him, resentment filled him. Chambers failed to understand or grasp that Hatsue did not make a haste decision. She made the decision she did because of their difference in society. Chambers faced some

In the courtroom, Chambers watched both Kabuo and Hatsue. Hatsue and Kabuo both represents his past. He grew up with Kabuo on his father’s farm while Hatsue and him shared a kiss that caused him to fall in love with her. One kiss turned into a relationship but once World War 2 began their relationship changed. Hatsue married Kabuo and Chambers struggled to accept her decision. In the War Ishmael lost an arm which built even more resentment within him. Ishmael struggled with his lost of Hatsue and turned to writing as a reporter to deal with his struggle. Ironically, the thing he turned to deal with losing Hatsue, is the thing that leads him to bringing justice for Kabuo. In bringing justice for abuo, he is also bringing happiness to Hatsue. In the long run, seeing Hatsue happy is enough for him and knows that Hatsue deserves the justice of a blissful life. He hopes though she will always remember their time as they both continue to