The time went by and finally back at the house in fall. “Fall”, which I think refers to the family’s situation also (mentally, physically, and economically). Just like in fall all the leaves fall, grass turns brown, and sign of winter, snow the bad time of year comes. I think the family’s situation was very similar to it. I think this novel has connection with everything. Just like fall, the family was all broken/fallen by all the bad times they had to go through. Coming back for them was very fortunate, but at the same time for society they were not respected people at all. They had lost their identity, marked people, and they were very mentally disturbed also. They were not considered in high/mid level society at all. When they tried to get friendly with those same people who were nice to them, they would also ignore them. “Now when we ran into these same people on the street they turned away and pretended not to see us”(115). I think society should help them come out of their grief, but they wouldn’t because of arrogance. I think this family is very brave. They still have hopes and they are trying to get over with their past and move on with their life leaving the past behind. They are not thinking about what they lost, but what they have to gain. They are happy to be home. They feel that they are lucky that they have home to come back to, because there are a lot of other people who had nowhere to go. “Many people who had come back with us on the train had no homes to return to at all”(109). They know that their house is not in good condition, but still they have a hope that they will make their house just like it was before. They will sleep on separate beds all alone and they will have good food to eat. They will go back to school and make up for the years they have missed. They will dress like other students and they’ll change their name. They will have good food to eat again. Their mother started to work at other’s houses and bought her children new dress, house things, and good food, etc. She even worked when she had a day off to get some extra money for her family. “On her days off she took in washing and ironing to make a few extra dollars” (129). I think their mother is the bravest character in this novel. Because even being mentally and physically, and economically disturbed (cheated by Milt Parker), she didn’t give up. She tried her best to give her children the best life she can. When they came back home, there was hardly anything left in it, but still by working hard she bought the things that they needed to live. I think this family is very strong. I also think that in some way it’s a happy ending story. This family has high hopes. They know how to leave the past behind and look for good future. I think moving on in life is the only way to have a better life and this family has proven that. They are moving on with a lot of hopes, which is the only way one can come out of his grieves. I think this story is very powerful for the readers who are also emotionally and physically disturbed. It can be a good way for them to find a right path and move on with their lives. I think Julie Otsuka has done a great job writing this novel.
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