"Discus the themes touched upon in the extract and the language used - How relevant is this passage to the rest of the novel?"

A common perspective between Ishmael and Hatsue is recognizing that love has only one true colour. “They’re different temperatures” but they mix “underneath”. This passage explains the racial tension between the two, the differences between each other and their cultures. At the age of thirteen, Hatsue's parents sent her to Mrs. Shigemura for training in the social graces. Mrs. Shigemura told her to avoid white men, who merely adore Japanese girls this is providing the basis for the argument. The relevancy of this becomes apparent later in the novel when Hatsue marries Kabuo, which is of her own race and culture.

The theme of Hatsue growing up is relevant to the rest of the novel because Ishmael has now realised that he “had known her for six years and he had not known her” it’s a paradoxical statement, he has found the sexual side of Hatsue her more appealing side. “ He noticed her fingernails, the shape of her toes, the hollow place at her throat.” The “detached” part of her that she has been instructed to keep away from the interests of a white man.  

The teenage Hatsue’s fear that her love affair with Ishmael will cause controversy is due just as mush to her own community’s separation form the broader community gives it greater cohesion.  He realises that she was Japanese and “he wasn’t”. “The salt had dried at the corners of her lips and left a residue behind”, this is a sensuous statement and its relevance is that it shows the sort of relationship that Hatsue and Kabuo would have in later life. There is a sense of private Vs public “ she was closed up and offered him no opening for talk, this is not unlike the scenario that Kabuo is in with the trial it is a very public trial for a very private person.

The characteristics of Ishmael Chambers and Hatsue Imada Miyamoto can clearly illustrate the differences, common perspectives, and depicting the respect of family value. Ishmael and Hatsue are two symbolizes two cultures that can become as one without any disputes of discrimination from any unknowledgeable groups of people.  They may also symbolize the significance of opening new doors for a world without any hatred.