How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Several faces appeared at the door. Not the faces of his brother and sisters, but grown-up people. He could see that they did not recognize him. He hardly recognized them. But then an older woman stepped out from the shadow of the door and their eyes met. A moment passed between them and he was once again a young boy, standing at the door of this hut, saying good-bye before going to work for Imasu-san. (5.40.23-24)
Everything changes… except for a mother's love, right?
Quote #8
Lord Nariakira stood facing the courtyard. He was silent. Manjiro wondered if he had said too much, if he had angered the powerful lord. A gust of wind blew into the room, lifting the edge of the map. "The weather is changing," the daimyo said.
"Maniiro nodded. "As is the world," he said.
The lord turned to look at him, one eyebrow raised.
"But I believe good will come out of this changing world," Manjiro said. (5.38.29-32)
The change Manjiro is referring to here is the coming of the Americans. It's inevitable, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Americans bring with them different ideas, a different culture, and more importantly, a different way of dealing with the world—one that embraces international trade and open ports. This is a huge change for a place as isolated as Japan.
Quote #9
But impermanence was the nature of life. Wasn't it funny, Manjiro thought, that his countrymen, who so admired the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms and the maple's momentary burst of fall color, clung so fervently to the past? They were like the last fragile blossoms that tremble on the branch while the wind tears and tears at them. (5.41.5)
Of course Manjiro would have a natural simile on hand to describe his countrymen's perspective. But he has a point: How is it that his people can appreciate the changes in nature and yet not be able to deal with the changes in the world? Maybe it has something to do with how predictable seasonal changes are. Global matters, on the other hand, aren't so easy to predict or manage…