Themes In Snow Falling On Cedars By David Guterson

Snow Falling on Cedars is a 1994 novel written by David Guterson, situated in the fictional island of San Piedro, America. The story centers around the trial of Kabuo Miyamoto, a Japanese man accused of murdering the white fisherman Carl Heine. Set during post-World War II, anti-Japanese sentiments lead to biased proceedings despite the absence of conclusive evidence. Throughout the trial, news reporter Ishmael Chambers follows the case while struggling with his past affair and unrequited love for Kabuo's wife, Hatsue. Guterson effectively communicates complex ideas of prejudice, fate, and the influence of the past on the present through the use of symbolism and characterisation.

Racism is a significant theme that is explored through the symbolism

The development of the snowstorm parallels the progression and culmination of racist attitudes throughout the novel. While the storm, "completely… [cuts] off" the island, the prejudiced opinions of the islanders traps them within their own personal bias. A figurative storm of xenophobic ideals obstructs their ability to see things objectively. The increasingly violent progression of the storm embodies the brewing hatred within the hearts of the people, which grows as the prosecutor, Alvin Hooks, present his case. At its peak, the storm "[knocks] the power wires down", plunging the island into darkness. This is symbolic of how the islanders have lost touch with their morality. Comparable to the weather's destruction, racism and intolerance slowly tear the community apart. When the defence presents their case, the storm slowly starts to die down signalling a change in the courtroom as the islanders, previously trenched in their prejudice, start to

Throughout the novel, various characters struggle with memories of the past. Ishmael in particular, finds it difficult to move past prior experiences. After Ishmael finds evidence of Kabuo's innocence, he stresses over "what to do with it". Despite knowing that "his father, of course, would have gone hours earlier…to show [the judge] the coast guard shipping lane records," Ishmael decides to withhold the crucial piece of evidence. He does so in hopes that Kabuo's conviction will allow him to rekindle his formerly romantic relationship with Kabuo's wife, Hatsue. Ishmael's actions show that while he understands what the ethical choice would be, he is dictated by his past experiences. Ultimately, Ishmael decides to turn in the evidence and moves on from his memories with Hatsue. His change in heart is a critical turning point in the development of his character. By letting go of the past, he is able to reassert his moral values and move forward with his life. In contrast, Kabuo feels greatly responsible for the atrocities he had to commit during the war. Despite being innocent of the accused crime, Kabuo believes his death would be karmic justice for his "mountain of violent sins". Though most would agree no one deserves to be convicted of a crime they did not commit, Kabuo perceives himself as a "murderer" who must pay "his debts to the dead". As a result of his guilt,