Reading Together Blog
What qualities contribute to a book’s lasting value? Can we predict what will become a classic?
On March 9, Dr. Nicolas S. Witschi of Western Michigan University’s Department of English was our guest speaker for “The Book as a Literary Classic.” Describing Snow Falling on Cedars as a “complex and rich book for evaluation and interpretation,” he said it contains many qualities consistent with good literature. Here are some highlights:
- Sophisticated techniques. The framing narrative is a murder trial. As the trial unfolds, we learn other stories as well, so not only do we see the progression of the trial but we know the events that led up to it. Guterson adds depth and richness with a plethora of “structured binaries” — the push and pull of paired opposites such as just/unjust, true/untrue, war/peace; past/present; young/old; power/powerlessness; chaos/control.
- Evocative detail. Guterson’s texture of language and words “develops a tapestry.” In one example, the author describes a natural setting that also mirrors a character’s state of mind.
- Literature that informs the novel. Snow Falling on Cedars is “keenly aware of its literary forebears,” Dr. Witschi said, offering a short list of influential titles, among them: Moby Dick, To Kill a Mockingbird, Sense and Sensibility, and Winesburg, Ohio;
- Multiple themes. Snow Falling on Cedars is a romance, a murder mystery, and a story of endurance amidst hardship and racial prejudice. It also is the story of an artist coming into his own. At the end of the book, we get the sense that Ishmael has changed, has found himself as a writer, gaining a sense of where his place should be. And as Ishmael begins to write, we are left to ponder what will become of him as a writer?
Book
Book as a Literary Classic
book-as-a-literary-classic-160
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalamazoopubliclibrary/sets/72157623514308377/
We received a kind letter from Senator Daniel Inouye, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. A few months ago, we invited the longtime senator from Hawaii to visit Kalamazoo during Reading Together. Senator Inouye is Nisei (second generation Japanese American) and a distinguished veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. He was the first Japanese American to be elected to Congress, and has served in Congress since 1959.
Senator Inouye was a medical volunteer at Pearl Harbor. In 1943, he discontinued his medical studies at the University of Hawaii to join the U.S. military. Serving with the 442nd RCT, he was distinguished by his many acts of courage and leadership, receiving multiple injuries and losing his right arm.
Senator Inouye was sent to convalesce in Battle Creek where he became friends with another soldier and future U.S. senator: Bob Dole. A third U.S. senator also stayed there during World War II: Philip Hart of Michigan. The building, also known as the Battle Creek Federal Center and the Battle Creek Sanitarium, was renamed in 2003 to the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center.
For his service during World War II, Senator Inouye was conferred the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross. In June 2000, he was awarded the Medal of Honor:
“Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper’s bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.”
Book
Letter from Senator Inouye
senator-inouye-letter-160
/uploadedFiles/Reading_Together/2010/Events/senator-inouye-letter.pdf
The treatment of Japanese Americans during World War II is a central theme of Snow Falling on Cedars. The book and its events are ideal springboards for discussions about race and racism. But it’s not always comfortable to talk about these subjects, and so people sometimes retreat.
One of our partner organizations is the Kalamazoo YWCA, the first and oldest YWCA in Michigan. Following a mission to eliminate racism and empower women, the YWCA offers a number of programs about racism and diversity. Maria Drawhorn, YWCA’s Chief Program Officer, very deftly led a conversation about race March 2. Beginning with a discussion of characters and incidents in Snow Falling on Cedars, she then moved to questions that allowed participants to examine how racism can be systemic or institutionalized. When participants were put into small group discussions, they seemed reluctant to stop talking.
The Kalamazoo community will be talking about race and racism over the next year. Snow Falling on Cedars was selected as a complementary prelude to an exhibit opening in October 2010. Race: Are We So Different? uses history, science and stories to understand what race is and is not. Read more about the exhibit and the community initiative that has been working to develop programs and conversations about this important topic.
Book
Race: Why Are We So Different?
conversation-about-race-0620-160
http://www.raceexhibit.org/
PBS is again airing The National Parks, a magnificent series by Ken Burns about how this country’s national parks came to be. Episode 5: Great Nature (1933-1945), includes a story about Chiura Obata, an artist who was inspired by Yosemite. He was one of some 120,000 Japanese Americans sent to internment camps. While at Topaz, Obata started an art school for others incarcerated at the camp. Go here to learn more about his story and view some of his artwork. Episode 5 can be viewed online for the next few days, or you can check out the entire series from KPL’s collection.
Racial prejudice toward Japanese Americans is a prominent theme in Snow Falling on Cedars. Join us for A Conversation About Race on March 2, in a discussion led by staff from the Kalamazoo YWCA’s program on racial justice.
Movie
The National Parks
PAR894444D
Yesterday’s winter storm was a fitting prelude to discussions of Snow Falling on Cedars during the Avid Reader Toolkit program. We opened with a fascinating presentation about Japanese culture and beliefs led by Masanouri Takeda, managing director of the Japan-America Society of West Michigan, and a member of the Reading Together Steering Committee. Mr. Takeda explained that Western culture’s belief in God has developed “independent humans” seeking to avoid guilt. Japanese culture, on the other hand, has developed “social oriented humans” who seek to avoid shame. He went on to explain that the exclusion and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II was particularly painful because it meant they were being separated from society.
Next, we delved into the book with Sherry Ransford Ramsdell, retired English teacher from Kalamazoo Central High School and longtime Reading Together volunteer. Ms. Ramsdell began by showing five types of conflict present in Snow Falling on Cedars, all of which are played out on many levels: Person vs person, person vs society, person vs nature, person vs self, and person vs machine. She praised David Guterson for his “well developed characters,” which contribute to the book’s complex dramatic tension. And even though the characters are developed to the point that readers may think they understand them well, the story is told from a limited omniscient perspective. You don’t know everything, just a little. Because we are not given every character’s thoughts and actions, we are treated to a wonderfully rich experience.
Book
Snow Falling on Cedars
rt-2010-masanouri-takeda-0604-160
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalamazoopubliclibrary/sets/72157623388765565/
This year, thousands of readers in Kalamazoo County will immerse themselves in David Guterson’s unforgettable novel Snow Falling on Cedars.
We are pleased to present what we think is an especially rich array of programs planned for February, March and April. Browse the calendar of events to find discussions and presentations that you’d like to attend.
Highlights of three programs:
This season would not be possible without the enthusiastic work of our local and national partners, and the thousands of readers who’ve participated each year since 2003. To all of you we offer our grateful thanks.
Book
Snow Falling on Cedars
067976402X
Novelist, short story writer, poet, journalist, and essayist David Guterson earned his M.A. from the University of Washington, where he studied under the writer Charles Johnson. After moving to Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound, Guterson taught English at the local high school and began writing for Sports Illustrated and Harper’s magazine. His work also includes the novels East of the Mountains, Our Lady of the Forest, and The Other.