Question
Manjiro shuddered. These were certainly barbarians if they killed animals to make shoes! Such a thing was against the law in Japan.
Eleven eyes. When at last he dared to look up, what he noticed was their eyes. Each pair a different color: green as a stormy sea, blue as the sky, black as night, or brown as his own. One man had only one eye, and that one as gray as a cloudy day. The other eye was covered with a patch.
There did not seem to be any tails, horns, or fangs among them. There were some alarmingly hairy faces and plenty of big noses, though!
—Heart of a Samurai,
Margi Preus
Read the passage. What does it help you understand about how Manjiro’s character has developed?
Eleven eyes. When at last he dared to look up, what he noticed was their eyes. Each pair a different color: green as a stormy sea, blue as the sky, black as night, or brown as his own. One man had only one eye, and that one as gray as a cloudy day. The other eye was covered with a patch.
There did not seem to be any tails, horns, or fangs among them. There were some alarmingly hairy faces and plenty of big noses, though!
—Heart of a Samurai,
Margi Preus
Read the passage. What does it help you understand about how Manjiro’s character has developed?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
This passage highlights significant aspects of Manjiro's character development, particularly in terms of his worldview and perception of different cultures. Initially, Manjiro is characterized by a clear sense of his own cultural values and laws, as evidenced by his repulsion toward the idea of killing animals for shoes, which he views as barbaric. This reflects his upbringing in Japan, where such practices would be socially and morally unacceptable.
As he encounters these "barbarians," his focus shifts from their actions to their physical attributes, specifically their eyes. The vivid descriptions of the different eye colors suggest a growing curiosity and fascination with diversity, hinting at a shift in his perspective. While he maintains some initial judgments, such as noting the lack of tails or horns, he begins to see the individuals before him as complex people rather than mere representations of "the other."
The passage suggests that Manjiro is moving beyond a simplistic, binary view of good versus bad or civilized versus barbaric. Instead, he is starting to recognize the individuality of the people he encounters, which indicates a burgeoning ability to embrace complexity and difference. This transformation is vital for his character arc, as it sets the stage for personal growth, greater cultural understanding, and perhaps a future challenge to his pre-existing beliefs. Ultimately, the passage foreshadows Manjiro's journey toward broader acceptance and empathy, essential traits for his development as a character.
As he encounters these "barbarians," his focus shifts from their actions to their physical attributes, specifically their eyes. The vivid descriptions of the different eye colors suggest a growing curiosity and fascination with diversity, hinting at a shift in his perspective. While he maintains some initial judgments, such as noting the lack of tails or horns, he begins to see the individuals before him as complex people rather than mere representations of "the other."
The passage suggests that Manjiro is moving beyond a simplistic, binary view of good versus bad or civilized versus barbaric. Instead, he is starting to recognize the individuality of the people he encounters, which indicates a burgeoning ability to embrace complexity and difference. This transformation is vital for his character arc, as it sets the stage for personal growth, greater cultural understanding, and perhaps a future challenge to his pre-existing beliefs. Ultimately, the passage foreshadows Manjiro's journey toward broader acceptance and empathy, essential traits for his development as a character.