Stephen's story is long and arduous, because the novel is a portrait of a fledgling adult's first experience of real life. During his experience, he is asked to leave his home to go on an adventure to reconnect with his father, to meet girls, and to work hard to support his family. This is a portrait of life as a young man.
Moreover, Stephen suffers painful and difficult trials, like Tuberculosis, which removes him from university, or like the loneliness of his quarantine, or the tragic death of his beloved sister. These incidents serve as a counterpoint for Stephen's go-getter attitude in life. His life is challenging, but meaningful, and ultimately, his suffering serves Stephen as a rite of passage. By the time he has mourned the untimely death of his sister, he is a full-blown adult, well on his way to having a family and career of his own.
This makes The Samurai's Garden a bildungsroman, meaning that the novel is a picture and investigation of the introduction of true human experience to the psyche of a child, bringing him into full adulthood. The novel is a portrait of Stephen learning what life will actually feel like, with all its pain, trials, and tragedy. However, in his friendships, mentorships, various jobs, and friendships, he has more than enough meaning to pull him along.
