Black Samurai Essay Questions

What role does violence play in Black Samurai?

In Black Samurai, violence stands out as one of the book's dominant themes. Early in the story, Marc Olden sets the tone by depicting a brutal raid on Master Konuma's samurai houses by Colonel Tolstoy. In response to Tolstoy's barbarous aggression, Sand employs a more calculated form of violence, which is directed toward a just cause and used to incapacitate those who threaten public safety. Unlike Tolstoy's weapons, Sand's violence draws on martial arts traditions and is motivated by a sense of duty to protect the vulnerable. In the end, Sand's righteous, sophisticated violence proves more powerful than Tolstoy's modern firepower.

What role does valor play in the novel?

The theme of valor, which refers to the display of great courage in the face of danger, is a central theme in the Black Samurai. This theme is first introduced during Colonel Tolstoy's raid on Master Konuma's samurai houses, where the terrorists unleash killer dogs, grenades, and automatic firearms on the unsuspecting samurai. Despite the chaos, Sand and his fellow samurai remain composed while discussing their strategy. The samurai decide that Sand, being the strongest warrior, will leave the building to protect Master Konuma, while Maka and Kuri sacrifice their lives to slow down the raiders. The author also touches on this theme during a flashback to 1966, where Sand intervenes when he sees the elderly Konuma being harassed by American GIs. This act of courage impresses Konuma, who takes Sand on as his student, recognizing his potential to become a great samurai. Throughout the novel, Sand displays his valor by bravely confronting Tolstoy and his men, often going alone on dangerous missions to eliminate the threat they pose.

What role does the concept of service play in Black Samurai?

As a major theme, service plays a significant role in the novel. The theme emerges when Sand, Maka, and Kuri deliberate on how to confront the raiders who threaten their lives. Instead of fleeing to safety, the samurai choose to stay and fight, risking their lives to neutralize the terrorists and protect others. The author further explores this theme when the narrator reflects on Sand's partnership with Clarke, who hires Sand to carry out targeted assassinations of dangerous, powerful individuals. Konuma approves of Sand's involvement in the plan, recognizing that Sand's martial arts training would be useless if he did not use it to serve others. Ultimately, it is Sand's unwavering dedication to serving others that gives him the strength to persevere through the perilous and arduous task of taking down Tolstoy.

How is the concept of revenge key to understanding the motivations of both Colonel Tolstoy and Robert Sand?

The desire for revenge is a dominant theme in Black Samurai, as it animates both the story's protagonist and antagonist. The theme first arises when the narrator describes Colonel Tolstoy's plan to avenge the US government's attempt to hold him responsible for the My Lai massacre. To demonstrate the politicians' lack of comprehension of the true nature of war, Tolstoy intends to carry out a brutal attack on an American town, killing innocent civilians and bringing the conflict close to home. Similarly, Sand, although fighting for the righteous side of the conflict, is also driven by revenge. After witnessing Konuma's death, Sand is determined to avenge his master's murder and kill Tolstoy. Even when exhausted and injured from his battles, Sand draws on the memory of Konuma's death to rekindle his determination to eliminate Tolstoy and the danger he represents.

What is the significance of Sand's tanto sword?

In Black Samurai, the tanto Master Konuma gives Sand is a symbol of Sand's excellence as a samurai and the gratitude he feels toward his master. The sword enters the story during Tolstoy's attack on the samurai houses; Sand clutches the 200-year-old sword, prepared for battle. Despite using guns and explosives when possible, Sand also relies on the tanto as both a practical fighting tool and a reminder of the trust Konuma placed in him when awarding the weapon. The tanto's significance is made most clear during the book's climactic scene. Standing below Tolstoy, Sand hurls the short sword at Tolstoy's throat, putting an end to the terrorist's rampage.