Reading Assignment: Finish Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Writing Assignment : Write one or two paragraphs explaining what you think is a key theme in The Big Wave. Open by saying something like “Pearl Buck’s The Big Wave is a story that stresses the importance of ………. Readers can see this, for instance, in the scene where….. Then too, there is the moment in which….
Below is a second illustration where I have filled in the blanks. But remember, these are examples. Do not copy them. Instead use your own thoughts, words, and examples. The basic pattern is (1) introduce the theme you think is important and (2) provide two examples that illustrate the theme. (3) Rely mainly on the present tense to explain your examples.
Here is an Example based on Mark's excellent suggestion in class. But "example" means you should use it to figure out your own way of writing the paragraphs. It doesn't mean you should copy what I say here:
Pearl Buck's short novel, The Big Wave, makes a strong case for facing ones fears. This is particularly clear in the scenes where Kino talks to his father. For instance, Kino's father tells him that as a child he should not think about death. Instead, he should enjoy life. But he also tells him not to fear death. To love life without fearing death is, the father says, the "Japanese Way."
That this theme is important to the book is also clear in the novel's ending. Jiya, who has lost everything when the big wave slams into the beach, returns to the spot where his family was destroyed. Jiya knows the risk he is taking. But he returns anyway because he wants to be a fisherman like his father. With his new wife, he will face his fear in order to live his life according to his wishes, rather than his fears.
