Snow Falling on Cedars

Kevin Green - Character Analysis - Fujiko Imada

Hatsue: Do you think this is wrong?

Ishmael: Your friends would. Your dad would kill me.

Hatsue: My mom is the problem.

I’ve selected Fujiko Imada (Hatsue’s mother) as the character I would like to analyze. She reveals a lot about her character and social preferences when she tells her young daughter to, “stay away from white boys. Marry one of your own kind, whose heart is strong and gentle.”

Based off this, and other examples in the film, I believe Fujiko can be described as an individualistic person set in a universalistic mindset. Through Japanese culture of that period, she also portrays a strong sense of high power distance translated through her monochronic belief system.

It is Fujiko’s influence that causes Hatsue to ultimately tell Ishmael, “You have to let go. That’s the way things are.” Hatsue says this even though she believes Ishmael meets her mother’s standards of having a good heart. Despite Ishamaels good heart, Fujiko maintains a universalistic mindset throughout the majority of the film. Japanese culture at the time was very specific with their social expectations. Marriage outside of their own culture was severely frowned upon. The universalistic principle of “one right way” is apparent as Fujiko constantly disregards her daughter’s feelings as she enforces her own individualistic standards.

I thought the most powerful part of the movie was when the Imada family (including Fujiko) and the other Japanese neighbors realize the selfless act that Ishmael had carried out by providing supporting evidence that vindicated Kabuo. Together they stand, look up to the balcony where Ishmael is watching the proceedings, and bow to him.

To me this was a visual representation of both ubuntu and universal dialogue. Typically, this type of high power distance action would be reserved for an elder or leader. In this case, although no words were said during this moment, you could see that age, status, the differences between Japanese and American culture were replaced with gratitude and respect for actions that freed an innocent man so he could have his name cleared and return to his family. Differences and cultural beliefs were set aside in the spirit of humanity towards others.  

Having stated all these examples, I found it difficult to completely define Fujiko as a peach or coconut. As our book mentioned, there are frequently cultural dimension crossovers that may differ from that of a persons inherited culture. 

Snow Falling on Cedars - Character Profile - Mitch Bullough

​

Judge Fielding - Judge Fielding is a Universalist as his strongest trait. He represents the law and the law is something that is agreed upon and is absolute. No individual has the ability to transgress the law regardless of rank or position. The Judge is also an individualist because he looks at each individual rather than groups of people. The issues at hand are specific for each individual and not as much about the families. This is also evidenced by his willingness to listen to Ishmael when he brings forward evidence. He does not see this as the media getting involved, Ishmael is the one bringing the evidence. He holds different power distances depending on the role he is fulfilling. In the courtroom he is the authority and outside the courtroom he is more approachable. The judge is monochronic, he believes in resolving one issue at a time, but accounts for other issues as needed. The judge does not ascribe people to a status. He has a diffuse focus because any evidence is considerable if it relates to the case. He does not view each piece separately but everything is a whole. The judge is moderate in style. He tries to be affective because that is the culture, but he often reflects the neutral demeanor of Mr. Miyamoto in the courtroom. 

​

The interesting contrast for Judge Fielding is to compare him in the courtroom and out of the courtroom. He is mostly the same in both settings, but his willingness to change is in his words, "in the name of justice." He is willing to accept new evidence. He is largely a reflection of American culture but his willingness to see all perspectives is critical to his role as a judge. It would have been politically popular for him to follow the trends of the town and be biased toward the racial background of Mr. Miyamoto. The Judge is large catalyst in the story to forgiving old wounds and fostering understanding. 

Becky Howard - Character Analysis - Nels Gudmunddson

I have chosen Nels Gudmunddson, Kabuo’s defense attorney, as the character I would like to analyze.  I found Nels to be fascinating in his ability to understand a different culture so well. Nels himself was from a Peach culture (Sweden) but his ability to understand Kabuo’s Coconut mindset was imperative when it came to the defense. Nels understood that trust must be gained but before that could happen, he needed to form a relationship with Kabuo. Nels himself was from a culture where fairness and equality are valued. He knew he had an uphill battle when it came to the jury. Nels know he would have to remind them that they were not playing by the rules and were allowing prejudice to stand in the way of fairness.

"The counsel for the state has proceeded on the assumption that you will be open, ladies and gentlemen, to an argument based on prejudice. He has asked you to look closely at the face of the defendant, presuming that because the accused man is of Japanese descent you will see an enemy there. If you see in his face a lack of emotion, if you see in him a silent pride, it is the pride and hollowness of a veteran of war who has returned home to this. He has returned to find himself the victim of prejudice—make no mistake about it, this trial is about prejudice—in the country he fought to defend." 

      I found Nels to be more of an individualist due to his need to keep his personal standards, take charge and even stand out. I struggled on where I found Nels when it came to Universalism and Particularism. Nels knew that rules were rules and he found it his job to remind the jury that these rules were in place for a reason. Nels also seemed to feel that there was only one right way, leading towards a Universalism viewpoint. Nels also showed a Particularism side as well as he trusted the relationship with Kabuo and it felt more like his work was for the community. He trusted the people and he worked to protect the people. I found that Nels leaned more to the affective side as he was open to his emotions in the courtroom and his speeches were more heated and animated.

​