Summary:
In "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park, the character of Tree-ear develops into a young man when he works for Min by being respectful toward others, doing favors and maturing mentally.
In the novel "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park, there are many themes that can be established from reading this book. The main character Tree-ear is an orphaned teenager who lives under a bridge with Crane-man a crippled elder. Tree-ear and Crane-man consistently demonstrates a true connection through friendship. However, ultimately ends with death. Throughout this novel Tree-ear begins working with a potter named Min. During his time working for Min, he takes steps that help him become a young man. Being respectful towards others, doing favors and requesting nothing in return, as well as maturing mentally are all part of the process. Those are some of the ways that Tree-ear matures as a person throughout the book.
One of the ways that Tree-ear shows maturity in the book is by showing respect towards others. Throughout his life Crane-man always taught Tree-ear the proper manners to use when talking with others and it showed when Min confronted him about stealing. When confronted he replied, ""I would not steal. Stealing and begging make a man no better than a dog"" (pg. 17). After saying this, he goes on to explain how he was admiring his work. He shows respect by not running away and being a coward. Instead he stays and is willing to accept the punishment. By doing this it also sets him up for work, and is the driving force behind Tree-ears further maturity. Also, this quote shows his character. In saying that to Min, he also touches the fact that he has to much pride to steal. When he says that begging and stealing make a man no better than a dog, he is saying that he is no dog, and will work for his meals. That is just one way Tree-ear shows that he is maturing as a person throughout this story.
Tree-ear shows maturity a second way when he doses the favor for Ajima and Min with out asking for anything in return. When he says, ""If the master would make a vessel he considers worthy of the courts attention, it would be my greatest honor to be allowed to take it to Songdo for him"" (pg.90). He asks for nothing in return, which is a drastic change in Tree-ears personality from the first time he is introduced. He was a selfish person, wanting more for him self rather then worrying about the well being of others. Asking do to a favor for someone else was un-heard of. Being able to let go of that selfish habit proves to be good to Tree-ear in the long run. Not only helping him later, it shows his loyalty to Ajima and Min. He shows his appreciation for their kind spirits, and the food he gets. Also Tree-ear shows another good natured character inside him, who wants to repay the potter and his wife for everything they provided for him. That is another step he takes to further mature as a person.
A Final way that tree ear shows he is maturing is the way his mindset matures. He swears to live his life to Crane-mans advice. "One day at a time, he would journey through the years" (pg 148). This quote shows that he understands the true bond that he and Crane-man had. It also shows how his mind is maturing. Instead of holding on to childish memories, he holds on the ones that truly mean the most to him. Those were some of Crane-mans last words, and they proved to be the most important. By Tree-ear living his life in that motto, it's almost as if Crane-man will live on with him. This sort of metaphoric thinking proves Tree-ear to be much more mature then he was at the beginning of the novel. With him realizing that Crane-man was the only person who cared about him during his early memories, he dedicates the rest of his life to the motto his good friend gave him. This quote is the final step Tree-ear took to show that he is maturing.
In conclusion, the story of "A Single Shard" is a significant book to read. These themes have influential impact in everyday decisions. It can teach anyone the values that truly matter in life. For example the demonstration of respect, the actions of loyalty and the proper mindset. After reading this story, those three things prove that Tree-ear matured as a person.
This is the complete article, containing 731 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
