“In the raging fire of the world there is no peace,” (Haugaard 206). This is a great quote to describe The Samurai’s Tale because violence is seen throughout the novel and it greatly affects Taro. Even in the beginning of the book violence has profound affect on him. His family is violently killed by the army of Lord Shingen, and he is left as a servant. After this point, Taro’s only goal in life becomes only to be a great samurai like his father was. He wants to be so great that he can defeat the people who kill his family. This insatiable thirst is always with him, even in his childhood as a servant in the kitchen it is still there. “The dog Taro was strong and healthy, but not content with being a dog,” (Haugaard 22). He eventually attains this goal after long years of work, and he is respected by everyone. All the violence Taro sees essentially causes him to stay on the straight and narrow because he knows that is the only way to become a samurai. Since that is his only goal in life he must do everything he can to attain it. Violence brings this goal within reach because he is made a samurai when Lord Akiyama’s army marches to take over Iwamura Castle. Once this goal is attained Taro feels as though his life is fulfilled and he even becomes ready to die at the blade of a sword, once again showing that violence is what has shaped him. In short, without the violence that Taro experiences throughout his life he would not have become such a great person because he would not have had any motivation or direction in his life, which is very ironic in a sense.
The warrior nature of feudal Japan is woven seamlessly into the novel. Taro, at most points, glorifies killing and cannot wait to be a samurai. However, his friend, Yoshitoki, reminds him of the fact that, "those who don't come back, they will be given land too, but no so much-just enough for a grave." (Haugaard 71) Yoshitoki frequently balances out Taro's bloodlust. When he does make his first kill, though, he is not happy. Once again, Yoshitoki helps Taro to reason, saying, "The first killed is like the first woman slept with-unforgettable." (Haugaard 121) Taro may have a warrior's nature instilled into him birth, but he does understand the consequences of his actions. He is not playing a game; he is taking someone's life. On this feeling he comments,"When you take someone else's world away from him, you feel the loss so strongly. That surprised me; I had not expected it." (Haugaard 121) Though he is driven by violence, Taro has to remember there are greater things in life, other than killing. This one set mind was detrimental to many, and Taro could have ended up dead.
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“In the raging fire of the world there is no peace,” (Haugaard 206). This is a great quote to describe The Samurai’s Tale because violence is seen throughout the novel and it greatly affects Taro. Even in the beginning of the book violence has profound affect on him. His family is violently killed by the army of Lord Shingen, and he is left as a servant. After this point, Taro’s only goal in life becomes only to be a great samurai like his father was. He wants to be so great that he can defeat the people who kill his family. This insatiable thirst is always with him, even in his childhood as a servant in the kitchen it is still there. “The dog Taro was strong and healthy, but not content with being a dog,” (Haugaard 22). He eventually attains this goal after long years of work, and he is respected by everyone. All the violence Taro sees essentially causes him to stay on the straight and narrow because he knows that is the only way to become a samurai. Since that is his only goal in life he must do everything he can to attain it. Violence brings this goal within reach because he is made a samurai when Lord Akiyama’s army marches to take over Iwamura Castle. Once this goal is attained Taro feels as though his life is fulfilled and he even becomes ready to die at the blade of a sword, once again showing that violence is what has shaped him. In short, without the violence that Taro experiences throughout his life he would not have become such a great person because he would not have had any motivation or direction in his life, which is very ironic in a sense.
The warrior nature of feudal Japan is woven seamlessly into the novel. Taro, at most points, glorifies killing and cannot wait to be a samurai. However, his friend, Yoshitoki, reminds him of the fact that, "those who don't come back, they will be given land too, but no so much-just enough for a grave." (Haugaard 71) Yoshitoki frequently balances out Taro's bloodlust. When he does make his first kill, though, he is not happy. Once again, Yoshitoki helps Taro to reason, saying, "The first killed is like the first woman slept with-unforgettable." (Haugaard 121) Taro may have a warrior's nature instilled into him birth, but he does understand the consequences of his actions. He is not playing a game; he is taking someone's life. On this feeling he comments,"When you take someone else's world away from him, you feel the loss so strongly. That surprised me; I had not expected it." (Haugaard 121) Though he is driven by violence, Taro has to remember there are greater things in life, other than killing. This one set mind was detrimental to many, and Taro could have ended up dead.
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