How can these two different people come together? Ishmael and Hatsue meet when they are children. They form the idea that they love each other through their limited knowledge and through their adolescent view of relationships. Hatsue and Ishmael share a very close friendship for many years, from the time of childhood to their teens when the two became extremely close. Their relationship doesn't beyond a pure friendship until one day Ishmael kisses Hatsue when they are fourteen. "I like you...I've always liked you,"(99) Ishmael says to Hatsue. However, in a time where inter racial marriages are considered heinous by both cultures, their love has already been determined futureless. Hatsue is aware of this much more earlier than Ishmael. The racial differences between them are the insurmountable barrie

hesitates in bringing it forward. "I have to think he's guilty"(343), he lies to his mother. This reveals much

When Ishmael receives this letter during the war, he is crushed. He hated her now "that he looked forward to killing as many Japs as possible"(237). During that time, Ishmael loses his best love and one of his arm which are all part of his body. The arm is the physical part, and love is the spiritual part. "That fucking goddamn Jap bitch"(251) is Ishmael's response to the "Dear John" letter. Yet his love for Hatsue does not diminish. "He didn't want to hate her"(237). Ishmael holds back and chooses not to stay angry and bitter hoping that his world will return to what it had been. His culture makes him the way of thinking of the love. He believes that Hatsue will return to him.

The turning point in their love is when the war comes. When Ishmael tells Hatsue that he will be going off to war, he is really asking her if she can wait for him. That day when they hold each other, it is not the same. They both realize that they are victims of circumstances out of their control. However, Ishmael believes they can overcome them since he thinks it is the war, and "This war won't go on forever"(207). In fact, it is not the war that is the obstacle. The obstacle is their racial and cultural differences. The war just brings the turning point sooner. At that point, Hatsue finally realizes she does not love Ishmael, while Ishmael is as sure as ever of his love.

about the type of love Ishmael has for Hatsue. His love is definitely the same love he has as a child for her. He wants to be with Hatsue, no matter what she wants. He does not care substantially about her happiness. Instead of accepting the fact that she is happy with Kabuo, he holds resentment for their marriage and his

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Approximate Word count = 1423
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)