In wars throughout history, families have been torn apart, lives have been seized away, and victories have been claimed, yet in the midst of battle, hearts have opened and friendships have blossomed. Even through opposite sides of a divided nation, childhood friends, Songsam and Tokchae, in the short story “Cranes,” reunite during the Korean War, but as enemies. As Tokchae is approaching execution, Songsam saves his life and they flee off together. This short story emphasizes the contrast in war and friendship, as war is often seen as death and friendship is seen as hope. Songsam and Tokchae’s friendship helps the reader recognize the theme which is that war can disrupt lives, but not true friendship. In order to convey the theme throughout
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Sunwon incorporates several flashbacks in “Cranes” that takes the reader back to Songsam and Tokchae’s past experiences together. One is introduced when Songsam debates giving Tokchae a cigarette: “He thought of the days when they used to share dried gourd leaves behind walls, hidden from adults” (274). This flashback in particular is minor, although it adds to Songsam’s character and emotions. Songsam remembers his childhood memories, which are kept as keepsake, and are illustrated with the use of the phrase “behind walls”. This phrase expresses how their friendship is so unique, as the walls serve as how no one else is involved in their special bond. Even through war, Songsam and Tokchae’s true friendship remains, though their lives were separated by the division of their country. The author uses the idea of “hidden from adults” to reiterate that friendship is a special tie between friends only, as adults are portrayed as intruders when it comes to bonding. The word “hidden” takes Songsam and Tokchae’s friendship on to a deeper level, as it connotes secrecy--away from adults. The author could have easily taken out the flashback out of the story, but the story’s plot would not build and it would not highlight the importance of friendship. The reflection of past memories in the middle of the story helps the reader obtain more background and make judgements, therefore giving the story’s overall message more depth. The flashbacks used develop the ties between Songsam and Tokchae and benefit the reader’s understanding of how war cannot break
Sunwon incorporates several flashbacks in “Cranes” that takes the reader back to Songsam and Tokchae’s past experiences together. One is introduced when Songsam debates giving Tokchae a cigarette: “He thought of the days when they used to share dried gourd leaves behind walls, hidden from adults” (274). This flashback in particular is minor, although it adds to Songsam’s character and emotions. Songsam remembers his childhood memories, which are kept as keepsake, and are illustrated with the use of the phrase “behind walls”. This phrase expresses how their friendship is so unique, as the walls serve as how no one else is involved in their special bond. Even through war, Songsam and Tokchae’s true friendship remains, though their lives were separated by the division of their country. The author uses the idea of “hidden from adults” to reiterate that friendship is a special tie between friends only, as adults are portrayed as intruders when it comes to bonding. The word “hidden” takes Songsam and Tokchae’s friendship on to a deeper level, as it connotes secrecy--away from adults. The author could have easily taken out the flashback out of the story, but the story’s plot would not build and it would not highlight the importance of friendship. The reflection of past memories in the middle of the story helps the reader obtain more background and make judgements, therefore giving the story’s overall message more depth. The flashbacks used develop the ties between Songsam and Tokchae and benefit the reader’s understanding of how war cannot break