Snow Falling On Cedars by David Guterson

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Snow Falling On Cedars by David Guterson

When the leaves pile up, it creates a dense, and heavy load that only disperses after the climatic events of a storm. In the novel, Snow Falling On Cedars by David Guterson, Kabuo, a Japanese fisherman, is on trial for the murder of a caucasian fisherman. There is much racism on the small island of San Piedro between its Japanese and American inhabitants and the trial makes that evident. There is a snowstorm throughout the trial and the snow that continues to pile up represents the tension that is building up in the courtroom between the two cultures and it's people.

The snow falling outside the courtroom is accumulating and the events that are progressing within the courtroom is creating a mounting tension. Everyone inside the courtroom is listening and watching in anticipation of the events that are unfolding before them and "outside, the wind is blowing steadily from the North, driving snow against the courthouse." (pg.170) The anticipation is parallel to the wind-driven snow: both create a hectic and strained feeling. This ...

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