"A Single Shard"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses and analyzes the book "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park. Specifically, it discusses why the main character, Min is angry and even cruel.

From the Paper:

"Min is angry and gruff because he is unhappy. He has lost a son and he is angry about that, and he has not attained the height in his career that he has hoped to attain because he is a perfectionist who will not work faster to sell more of his pottery. And so, he is angry and gruff with those around him to cover up his own sadness and depression. The author shows this in the scene where Min tells Tree-ear is not his son. She writes, "Tree-ear saw the potter's eyes, fierce with grief and rage. Min choked out the last words: 'You are not my son'" (Park 95). Min is bitter and angry that he has lost a son, but he is also incredibly sad that he has no one to pass his craft on to. He is bound by traditions of the past, and he cannot let go of them, and so, he will not bend and teach his craft to Tree-ear. All of these things combine to make him an unhappy, bitter, and unfulfilled man. In addition, Min seems a little hopeless because he cannot see the future or hope for anything better. When his pottery does not meet his standards, he destroys it, and only comes up with excuses when the emissary wants him to submit another piece anyway. He is his own worst enemy at times, only thinking of reasons why he cannot do something, rather than searching for ways to make it work."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Park, Linda Sue. A Single Shard. New York: Clarion Books, 2001.

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