What Is The Theme Of Snow Falling On Cedars

In the opening six paragraphs of Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson, we are presented with the trial of Kabuo Miyamoto in which he is being tried for murder. Miyamoto, a Japanese man, sits at the defendant’s table, dressed in a conservative suit, his face impassive. He is silent and unfazed by his being on trial. His hair is neatly combed, and his posture is upright, betraying no signs of nervousness or guilt. In this excerpt, we are shown details of a court, the people within, and the exterior. Inside the courtroom, the atmosphere is tense. David Gutterson characterizes Miyamoto in a unique way as he is unfazed when in court and he creates a contrast between the setting and Miyamoto as he makes the description of Miyamoto and the setting

The jury is comprised entirely of white men, and the judge is also white. This contrast highlights Miyamoto’s otherness and the inherent biases and discrimination he faces as a Japanese in a predominantly white community. Despite the tension and prejudice against him, Miyamoto remains stoic and composed. He is described as having an "impassive" face, suggesting a sense of emotional detachment. He does not speak, indicating his reserved nature and the difficulty he faces in connecting with those around him. This characterization of Miyamoto as a reserved, stoic figure conveys a sense of dignity and self-control, even in the face of adversity.The contrast between Miyamoto and the setting outside the courtroom is also significant. The novel is set in a small island community, where everyone knows each other, and social relationships are closely intertwined. However, Miyamoto remains an outsider, distanced from the rest of the community due to his Japanese heritage. The isolated nature of the island serves to emphasize Miyamoto’s sense of isolation and exclusion from the community, as well as the racial tensions that exist in the