Hatsue and Ishmaels Incompatibility in Snow Falling On Cedars :: Snow Falling Cedars Essays

Hatsue and Ishmael's Incompatibility in Snow Falling On Cedars    Dear Ishmael,      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   ...I don't love you, Ishmael.   I can think of no more honest way to say it.   From the very beginning, when we were little children, it seemed to me something was wrong.   Whenever we were together I knew it.   I felt it inside of me.   I loved you and I didn't love you at the very same moment, and I felt troubled and confused.   Now, everything is obvious to me and I feel I have to tell you the truth... I am not yours any more.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I wish you the very best, Ishmael.   Your heart is large and you are gentle and kind, and I know you will do great things in this world, but now I must say good-bye to you.   I am going to move on with my life as best I can, and I hope that you will too.    Sincerely,    Hatsue Imada         Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson, is an emotional story in which we see the life of a man who could not move on and a woman   that did.   The man, Ishmael, is hopelessly in love with the woman, Hatsue.   His love for her can not be dissuaded by anything; not her words, her wishes, or her marriage. He holds on to Hatsue because of his feelings for her, even after he gains the knowledge that it is extremely improbable that he could ever be with her. Hatsue is much more logical and rational with her feelings.   She saw her love with Ishmael for what it was.   She realized she did not really love him and that she was still learning what love really is.   She moved on with her life, whereas Ishmael could not.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ishmael's view of love did not change throughout the novel.   He met Hatsue as a child, and formed the idea that he loved her through his limited knowledge and through his adolescent view of relationships.   His love was simplistic, yet real.   He had concrete reasons for his love.   He enjoyed being with her.   He looked forward to meeting her in the hollow cedar tree.   He went out of his way to see her, even if she did not see him.