David Guterson's (1956- ) novel Snow Falling on Cedars (1994) explores the near-tragic ramifications of the internment on one family on the island of San Piedro, off the coast of Washington State. The story opens in 1954 with a murder trial. Kabuo Miyamoto, a World War II Nisei veteran and member of San Piedro's very small Japanese-American enclave on the island, has been charged with the murder of Carl Heine, a local fisherman, whose drowned body reveals the possibility of foul play. Testimony at the trial reveals that in 1934 Carl Heine's father had agreed to sell seven acres of land to Kabuo's father, but, since the law at the time forbade land ownership by any Nisei not born in the United States, the land was be held in trust for Kabuo until he reached the age of 20 in 1942, contingent upon the Miyamotos' meeting the mortgage payments over a period of eight years. After having worked the land for more than seven years, Kabuo's family is sent to a relocation camp, where, not being able to work, they fail to make the final payments. Carl's father dies in 1944, and his mother sells the land to someone else. When the second owner decides to sell the plot in 1954, Carl repurchases it just ahead of Kabuo.

During the trial, the prosecution argues that this long-standing dispute constitutes Kabuo's motive for murdering Carl. The story of the sale rekindles the memories of the war years and the treatment of the Nisei. It also evokes in Ishmael, the son of the editor of the town newspaper, the painful memory of his secret, teenage love affair with a Japanese girl, Hatsue, which ended when she, under pressure from her family, rejected him. Now Hatsue is the wife of Kabuo, and Ishmael, still in love with her, is covering the trial for his paper. Ishmael uncovers evidence that will help to exonerate Kabuo, leaving him with an intense moral dilemma: Should he reveal the evidence that will free the one man who stands as an obstacle to his happiness? After a day's delay, he makes the moral choice, which leads to the conclusion that Carl Heine's death was an accident, caused by his boat being overturned in the wake of a larger ship.

Snow Falling on Cedars is an unusual novel. Within the framework of a murder mystery, it interposes a lyrical style, set against a historical background that touches on themes of prejudice, war, and unrequited love. This seemingly odd combination makes for an effective and moving story.

Free term papers are not written to satisfy your specific instructions. You can use our professional writing services to buy a custom written research paper, term paper, or essay on World Literature at affordable price. CustomTermPapers is the best solution for those who seek help in writing term papers, essays, and research papers related to World Literature and other relevant topics.