A person's relationships with those around he or she, can largely affect their actions and decisions in life, especially if this relationship undergoes a dynamic change for better or for worst. Comment on one relationship and explain its effect on Taro.
7 comments:
In my opinion, I believe that Taro's relationship with Togan was the most important relationship he has in the book. When Taro’s parents and family are killed his life is spared to be a servant of Lord Takeda Shingen. Most people would become very disobedient at this point in their lives because they are left without someone to teach them or give them guidelines to live by. Taro is saved from this path to certain death by Togan, the chef with a watermelon-shaped head. The best example to illustrate this point is spoken from Taro directly when he says, “Those years I spent with Togan were probably the happiest of my life. He took better care of me than most parents would and I grew strong and straight like a well-tended tree,” (Haugaard 20). As Taro grows into a young man Togan teaches him the skills needed to be a respected and noble man. All the traits that Taro has an adult were taught to him in childhood from Togan. He is taught patience and curtsey, and he never forgets these traits. Even as an adult he knows how people are supposed to act. Taro becomes a great samurai, and yet he still shows manners and he knows how he knows the rules of etiquette because of the time he spent working in the kitchen with Togan. In short, Togan is the first father figure that Taro has and he imparts to him the knowledge that is needed to become successful, which he does.
I have to disagree with you here, Snorlax. I believe Taro's most important relationship was with Yoshitoki. As an older friend, he did not see the life of a samurai through rose colored glasses as Taro did. He often acts as a balancing factor to Taro. Taro is eager to go out into battle and make a name for himself, while Yoshitoki is happy with the simple things, such as hunting: "... you are eager to prove yourself in battle and I am pleased to have yet another year to live." (Haugaard 72) His age is most likely a factor in his reasoning, as he has seen more of the world than Taro has. However, he does not belittle Taro. Yoshitoki was the first true friend to Taro. Togan was more of a mentor, rather than a friend. Yoshitoki often understood the feelings of Taro the way a friend, not a mentor could. This relationship helped mold Taro into a better individual, and helped balance his views on life. Yoshitoki was the only person Taro had after the death of Togan to turn to. Without him, Taro may have died by the hand of some rival servant.
Mighty Boo Jones, it is obvious that Taro’s time spent with Togan is the most important times in his life. In the text it states, “In everyone’s life there are certain people who have helped to form his character and given a direction to his life; they are like big stones in a river that force the water to alter its course. Lord Akiyama’s cook was such a stone in the little stream of my early life,” (Haugaard 17). Togan was there to bring Taro up through childhood and keep him on the straight and narrow. He teaches Taro that politeness and being content are most important in life. Without these lessons he never would have succeed because he would not know how to act around superiors. Although Yoshitoki is there for Taro when Togan is killed, he does not impart to him the lifelong lessons that Togan does. Togan acts like a father figure to Taro, which is something every person needs in his or her life, and even though Yoshitoki was a very valuable friend Taro did not need him like he needed a father.
After reading your comments and doing some thinking, I do believe the relationship with Togan was the most important. Togan was the Obi-wan Kenobi to Tar's Luke Skywalker. Without the strong presence of a father figure to guide him, Taro would have most likely have had the same ideals as the boys around him Togan was the guiding force in Taro's life that helped shape his characteristics. Taro learned admirable traits from Togan that helped build him to a fine young samurai.
You guys are wrong it is lord akiyama. he is the one who saved him in the first place from getting killed.
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@sbdfgh me too
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