So Far From The Bamboo Grove By Yoko Kawashima Watkins

The novel, So Far from the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins, communicates through the character’s actions that families are loyal to each other even when it doesn’t benefit themselves.

In the book, Yoko's actions indicate that she is counting on her family to help her when she needs it. In the book, Yoko and her family arrived at a checkpoint on their way to Seoul to escape the Korean Communists who were trying to kill them. After being treated, they had to sleep at the station which was crowded with escapees to wait for the brother who was separated. As they were trying to sleep, Yoko crawled out and said to her mother, “I’m cold!” Then her mother took her “on her lap and wrapped” them “both in her blanket. Secure in her arms” she “went to sleep.” (Watkins 80) This shows that when Yoko is feeling cold, she immediately turns to her mother for assistance and comfort. Even though Yoko woke up her mother, she didn’t get mad or upset at Yoko for waking her up. Instead, she wrapped her arms and blanket around her. Furthermore, her mother could’ve used the

Ko’s actions show she is willing to help her sister when she needs it. As they were all on the train, it went through a tunnel that filled it with smoke. The smoke suffocated Yoko and she soon fainted. But, when she woke up, Ko asked her, “Feel better now?” Yoko murmured back and said that her “throat burns, and” her “chest stings.” Ko responds, “Suck on this.” as she put something in Yoko’s hand. Yoko asked in curiosity, “Where did you get caramels?” (Watkins 32) Ko just smiled and said “I am a great magician.” (Watkins 33) The evidence shows that Ko cares about Yoko and is willing to give her caramels to help her. Although Ko could’ve easily saved them for herself, she still gives away her caramels without hesitation which shows that she cares about her family and is willing to give her caramels to help