Tree-ear has many strengths and weaknesses. One of Tree-ear's strengths is that he is determined. An example from the text that explains how Tree-ear is determined is: "His every movement was quick with purpose; to hesitate was to doubt. He had made up his mind: he would journey to Songdo and show the emissary the single shard". This example demonstrates the fact that Tree-ear is determined because he wants to still show the emissary his master's work. Even though the vases were smashed, he still continued on his journey willing to prove his master's ability to create astounding pottery. Another example from the book that shows how Tree-ear is determined is: "He imagined himself at the wheel a beautiful pot growing from the clay
