The Enemy Lesson Plan

Reread the following passage: "'That young master is so proud of his skill to save life that he saves any life,' the cook said contemptuously. She split a fowl's neck skillfully and held the fluttering bird and let its blood flow into the roots of a wistaria vine. Blood is the best of fertilisers, and the old gardener would not let her waste a drop of it" (Paragraph 132). Identify and discuss any symbols, depictions of Japanese customs, and class dynamics in the passage.

With this question, students are encouraged to read closely and note the author's intentional use of word choice, symbol, and image. For example, they might focus on the fowl and locate where else in...