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Lesson 11
The Sound of Waves:
The resolution of the conflict
(Chapter 15 & 16)

Guiding Question: How does the geography of Japan influence Japanese social customs and personal psychology?

Performance Objectives
Students will be able to:

• define conflict in a work of fiction
• construct a chart listing all the steps leading to the resolution of conflict between Terukichi and Shinji

Teacher Background
There are 3 basic factors contributing to Hatsue's and Shinji's eventual engagement: Shinji's innate sense of duty, goodness and purity; his act of courage performed for the good of not only himself, but the crew and the island community's support of his and Hatsue's cause (Wa).

Procedure
Teacher will write the word conflict on the chalkboard. Ask students to think silently about this word for about two minutes jotting down words or thoughts which come to mind. Class then "brainstorms" ideas and answers and records on board.

For 8-10 minutes students work in pairs and review the novel thus far for the conflicts faced by each of the major characters. Debrief and summarize on chalkboard. Classify the types of conflicts.

• In what way has Shinji's apprenticeship on the freighter been a growing experience for him?
• How have Hatsue and Shinji "grown" in the course of the novel? (pp. 182-183)
• What generalizations can be drawn about the role of conflict in fiction?

Summary
The only thing that really counts in a man is his get-up-and-go. If he's got get-up-and-go he's a real man... Family and money are all secondary... And that's what he's got - Shinji - get-up-and-go.

• Do you agree with Terukichi's statement that "family and money are all secondary" in regard to marriage? Why/Why not?
• Do you think Hatsue and Shinji will have a successful marriage? Explain. What advice would you give them?