The Pine Tree
Year of Impossible Goodbyes begins with a description of the pine tree which Sookan’s grandfather cherishes. It “stood alone in the far corner of the yard, its dark green-needled branches emanating harmoniously from the trunk, reaching out like a large umbrella,” which illustrates that it serves as a safe space amidst the war-ridden environment. The narrator even notes that it is a “magic tree” of peace and harmony, which is emphasized by the description of “gentle rays of the April sun flitting through the pine branches played upon his face like dancing fairies.”
Thunder and Lightning
When the Japanese policemen come to take the sock girls away to become sex slaves, “the dark sky broke loose with a crack of thunder and a bolt of lightning. It started to pour.” This image of a threatening and horrifying natural phenomenon emphasizes and mirrors the cruelty of the Japanese oppressors, who spread terror and destruction.
Japanese and American Airplanes
At the Japanese school, the teachers paint a black-and-white image of the warring parties: “Sensei put up two poster-boards. One was a picture of two Japanese pilots standing in front of a shiny airplane with Japanese flags painted on the wings. The other was a picture of two tall American soldiers in green fatigues, their faces painted black. Their planes were dirty and dilapidated.” While the Japanese are displayed in bright colors associated with superiority, strength, and success, the Americans and supposed to look animalistic, devilish, and inferior.
Little Puddles in the Classroom
During a lesson with Sensei Narita, Sookan “saw one girl wiggling in her chair. Pretty soon, a little puddle formed beneath her. [She] looked around the room and counted four other little puddles. [She] looked up at their faces and saw them continuing to recite their lessons as if nothing were wrong.” This disgusting image emphasizes the girls’ fear of Narita, as they do not dare to interrupt her lesson to ask if they may go to the restroom.
