Etta's View Of The Japanese example essay topic

Examine the presentation and role of Etta Heine In the novel 'Snow Falling On Cedars', Etta Heine is only a minor character but she plays an important role. We get insights into Etta's character through her own flashbacks- and she is presented through her actions, body language, what she says and her appearance. The judge observes in confidence to Art, 'You " ve got Etta Heine, who I won't go into, but suffice it to say I don't trust that woman. She's hateful, Art; I don't trust her'.

[Chapter 18 pg 229] The picture is gradually built up throughout chapters 9, 10 and 18. A lot is revealed about Etta from her actions. She instantly objected to Zenhichi buying the land", 'We ain't going to sell', she said firmly. 'Not in such times as these, when land is cheap'". [Chapter 9 102+103] This shows that Etta was a money hungry woman, but wouldn't sell to the Japanese no matter what, she hated them. When Carl Junior came home with a bamboo fishing rod that he'd borrowed from Kabou, Etta demanded that he return it immediately, her reason being it complicated things: 'Take the fishing rod back to the Japs, they owed them money, the rod confused that'.

[Chapter 9 pg 116] This proved what a shrewd business woman she was towards those she disliked and with the Japanese gone and her husband dead, it was perfect to sell it on. This reveals a spiteful element as she showed an unkindness to her son. Etta's body language plays a huge part in the presentation of her character. 'Etta stood at the sink with her back to him' [Chapter 9 103] To some extent I would say this portrays some sort of ignorance.

She also portrays self- assertiveness when she ' folded her arms's how ing thats he acknowledges Carl has the last say and goes to undertake her womanly duties. In addition to this later on in chapter 9 we see her 'stood with her wrists against her hips'. Etta's appearance reflects how her life has tired her out. Being a farmers wife is the justification for this. It is a reflection of her lifestyle and she envies Zenhichi for his appearance, 'Something he knew about kept him from aging while she, Etta, grew worn and weary' Her description also reflects that of a bully. She seems to intimidate Carl Senior and Carl Junior Etta's role is of great importance in the novel.

She hated living in San Piedro especially the strawberries that were grown on her husband's farm. 'Etta grew tired of, gut weary of strawberries: she didn't even like to eat them. Her husband was a true lover of the fruit, but Etta couldn't feel anything for it'. [Chapter 9 pg 100] This shows that Etta dislikes being a strawberries farmer's wife. However she does what's expected of her as a woman, such as feeding the chickens, milking the cows and scrubs the floors. One of the most prominent themes of the novel is racial prejudice.

Etta is extremely prejudiced towards the Japanese. She feels that all the 'dirty japs' as she calls them are lazy and untrustworthy. She judges them by their race. When Carl originally sells the land to Zenhichi, Etta embodies the racist views that many people in the world hold.

Etta is not only racist towards the Japanese- Americans but also to those of Indian and Chinese origin, 'Those catholic people-who are they? - On South Beach, by the pier'. [Chapter 9 pg 104] This implies that she lacks respects for the Japanese-American community of San Piedro. Compared to Carl Senior, Etta felt nothing when the Japanese where to be evacuated, no compassion at all: 'We " re in a war with them. We can't have spies around'.

[Chapter 9 pg 110] This clearly conveys the two contrasting opinions of the Japanese. Etta also provides us with insights into the Miyamoto family and her own family. Her insights into the Miyamoto are biased so she portrays Kabou as being liable to commit murder. Etta believed that she had been right about the Japanese, that Carl Senior had been wrong, and that Kabou had killed her son. Although Etta is racist towards the Miyamoto's she has some respect for them because she admits the fact that they are hardworking and would work the land well. Etta also provides us with recollections of Carl and Kabou's friendship.

She claims that Kabou and her son weren't friends they were enemies, 'The defendant wasn't no friend of my son's. Isn't that obvious? They were enemies'. [Chapter 10 pg 123] I think this is only Etta's opinion as they used to be good friends but maybe Carl's attitude changed towards Kabou after the war.

Yet being exposed to his mother's racist views towards the Japanese inevitably affected Carl's attitude towards them. The other main character we get insight into is Carl Senior. Guterson deliberately contrasts these two characters to emphasize Etta's racism. Carl is depicted as a very gentle, subdued man. He was very sympathetic towards the Japanese and unlike Etta, he felt sorry for the Japanese when they were going to be evacuated. Carl Senior pushes the contrast further by saying flatly: 'We ain't right together...

You and me, we just ain't right'. [Chapter 9 pg 110] Significantly Etta's view of the Japanese is keenly ironic in view of her own German origins. Carl Senior defended the Japanese and trusted them whole- heartedly. He even figured out a way around the law that stipulated that non-citizen Japanese were unable to own land by keeping the title in his own name. Etta tries to dissuade him from selling the land, and is disgusted when he doesn't relent 'You " re the man of the house, you wear the pants, go ahead and sell our property to a Jap and see what comes of it'.

[Chapter 9 pg 106].