Chapter 16, Crisis by the Kronkel Summary and Analysis

In Sawi culture, young boys begin training to fight in childhood. In fact, parents praise a disobedient child as "strong willed." Likewise, children rarely receive discipline of any kind. From childhood, children learn to take what they desire by force. By the time they reach sixteen years of age, they possess a quick temper and savage spirit. Due to this culture, Richardson explains, the villagers frequently break out in fighting, even amongst their own people. The attempt to blend people from three different villages gives way too much violence.

Sometimes, Richardson is able to deflect violence, such as the time he rebukes Atae for desiring a third wife even though the wife he desired was already another man's only wife. Another time, however, Er receives three arrow wounds for his unwanted advances on...