Firewood discussion

"Sadako slid a thin, trembling hand over to touch the golden crane. Life was slipping away from her, but the crane made Sadako feel stronger inside. She looked at her flock hanging from the ceiling." (Coerr 63). Personally I love this quote as it is bringing a sense of calm and strength to the final scene in the book that really represents how well Sadako coped with the retched disease, creating the origami cranes. The cranes on the ceiling as well as the golden crane are huge examples of symbolism in this quote because the golden crane was given to Sadako by her best friend Chizuko. Chizuko wasn't very into ancient stories and wishes and so it was a huge deal when she was the one to originally suggest making the cranes for Sadako's wish, to get better. The cranes hanging from the ceiling represented her strong desire to recover from the disease so she can go back to school and have everything return to normal.

Finn wrote: ""Sadako slid a thin, trembling hand over to touch the golden crane. Life was slipping away from her, but the crane made Sadako feel stronger inside. She looked at her flock hanging from the ceiling..."

In addition, it's so wholesome to think that something as nice as a paper crane could bring so much joy to Sadako. Sure, we can see it as an effect of her age and her exuberant personality, but that's looking at the idea at face value. Leukemia can happen to anyone, regardless of age. However, many people often look at the chance of them facing death and lose all sense of happiness, becoming shells of themselves, similar to how Kenji was when Sadako met him (Coerr 42). The latter, though, is the exact opposite. Rather than let this slowly chip her away, she is more inspired than ever to make the paper cranes and possibly save herself from dying. Even if that isn't true, it's still beautiful to see such a young girl have so much optimism when many other people would allow themselves to succumb to the fate of dying to a truly disheartening disease.

"After visiting hours it was lonely in the hospital room. So lonely that Sadako folded more cranes to keep up her courage. Eleven... I wish I'd get better. Twelve... I wish I'd get better..."(Coerr 39)

It saddens me that a child as young as Sadako has to worry about her own impending death. She is so young that she does not seem to truly understand the concept of death and how devastating and unnatural her illness is. There is a chance that Sadako could recover at this point but it is highly unlikely and seeing a child grabble with a concept like morality is utterly heart wrenching.

"Sadako took the golden crane and made a wish. The funniest little feeling came over her when she touched the bird. It must be a good omen" (Coerr 36).

Not only does Sadako start to feel optimistic at this point, but this is the beginning of her journey to making the paper cranes. This, I think, is not only the turning point of the novel, but also the most powerful moment. The moment that Chizuko gives her the crane fills Sadako with an excitement that is truly touching given her circumstances. Her childlike wonder is on full display here; she finds something as simplistic as a paper crane to be a miracle, and a way for her to overcome the tragedy of being diagnosed with leukemia.

Siena wrote: ""After visiting hours it was lonely in the hospital room. So lonely that Sadako folded more cranes to keep up her courage. Eleven... I wish I'd get better. Twelve... I wish I'd get better..."(Coerr..."

I can definitely agree. To be a child and to struggle with such a difficult concept is something that no one should ever be subjected to, regardless of if they are the one with the illness or someone close to them is diagnosed. I think in this scene, Sadako is beginning to realize her own mortality and the very high chances of her early death. However, she practically takes it in stride and remains as cheerful and hopeful as ever, and her innocence becomes clear. She understands the risks of leukemia, but she relies on the paper cranes to give her strength and resilience. We as readers know that paper cranes are obviously not a source of medical technology and a breakthrough in the medical world that can cure normally incurable diseases, but they provide Sadako with comfort at the thought of imagining that they will be her guide to being cured and being able to be a young girl again.

Dorothy wrote: ""Sadako took the golden crane and made a wish. The funniest little feeling came over her when she touched the bird. It must be a good omen" (Coerr 36).

Not only does Sadako start to feel optimisti..."

I completely agree that this was a major turning point in the story. This was the moment we first saw the cranes giving Sadako hope. It is almost a bit of a *roll credits* moment, as in we have Sadako and we have her cranes. This is the beginning of Sadako's journey into folding. Sadako is able to distract herself from her impending leukemia and instead wish for recovery, despite this being next to impossible.

"The lanterns carried names of relatives who had died because of the Thunderbolt. Sadako had written Oba chan's name on the side of her lantern" (Coerr 20).

This is another quote that sticks out to me after ending the novel. At first glance and the first time that a reader sees this, they most likely see this as a touching moment for Sadako as she honors her grandmother during Peace Day. At this point in the novel, it is and there's no question about that. Peace Day began and was a celebration filled with joy, with vendors selling treats and knickknacks (Coerr 18). Nearing the end of it, though, the adrenaline dies down and the atmosphere becomes very quiet. After all, the entire celebration is the day to honor the people that had unfortunately perished because of the bombings (Coerr 11). To see Sadako become a part of that atmosphere brings another layer to her character. She isn't ignorant to the world around her, and she knows when she needs to tone down her normally animated personality. In addition, she knows the importance of family, and the respect that is meant to be given when honoring a lost relative or close friend. However, the most important factor of this quote is the use of foreshadowing. If a reader read this novel with no prior information about Sadako or her fate, they might just brush this quote off as further expansion of Sadako's character. However, having Sadako write her deceased grandmother's name on the lantern is true foreshadowing, as Oba had been one of the victims of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Coerr 11). By having Sadako write her grandmother's name on the lantern instead of her parents or one of her siblings, this is a subtle hint that unfortunately, Sadako will become another victim of the bombings like her grandmother. While Oba had died when the bombings occurred, most likely instantly, Sadako's death would not occur for years, and from a disease that transpired because of her exposure to the radiation from the nuclear explosion.

"Sadako nodded. She never complained about the shots and almost constant pain. A bigger pain was growing deep inside of her. It was the fear of dying."(Coerr) This quote stands out to me because it humanizes Sadako. Despite all of her bravery and positivity, she was still dying from leukemia and had every right to be scared. It's refreshing to know that Sadako's fear wasn't erased. Personally, it makes her story more memorable because she was scared, but rather give into her fear of dying, Sadako chose to coexist with her leukemia and be a pinnacle of hope to those around her, even when she was suffering.

"At the sound of that frightening word Sadako put her hands over her ears. She didn't want to hear anymore. Of course she didn't have leukemia. Why, the atom bomb hadn't even scratched her." (Coerr) This quote is interesting because medical research has changed so greatly since World War II. The impact of the atomic bombs is still found in Japan today, with cancers being linked to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is also interesting to see how much cancer research has improved in the last 75 years. If Sadako lived today, she probably would have been cured from leukemia.

Dorothy wrote: ""Sadako took the golden crane and made a wish. The funniest little feeling came over her when she touched the bird. It must be a good omen" (Coerr 36).

Not only does Sadako start to feel optimisti..." I agree that this is a powerful moment in the story. The cranes were a form of escapism for Sadako. Even though she did die from leukemia, her positive attitude inspired her classmates and friends.

Kiera wrote: ""At the sound of that frightening word Sadako put her hands over her ears. She didn't want to hear anymore. Of course she didn't have leukemia. Why, the atom bomb hadn't even scratched her." (Coerr..." Yes, I think we talked about how Sadako likely would've survived in today's day and age with the medical knowledge about Leukemia we have. World War II was a horrific event and really shouldn't have had as many casualties as it did, especially from innocent people. According to the National WW2 Museum, Japan's civilian and military death toll was "2,600,000-3,100,000".
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/stu...

Finn wrote: ""Sadako slid a thin, trembling hand over to touch the golden crane. Life was slipping away from her, but the crane made Sadako feel stronger inside. She looked at her flock hanging from the ceiling..."

I want to take a second to talk a second about the symbolism of the cranes. Throughout the story the cranes help Sadako cope with the pain she has to deal with while she deals with having leukemia. Sadako uses the cranes as a way of having hope and maintaining hope. She needs to believe that she will be granted a wish for reaching 1000 cranes but in the end she only reaches 644. Although she does not reach her total it gives her hope and they serve as a place where she can pull strength It all comes to a head in the scene mentioned in the quote chosen by Finn (Coerr 63). The hope that with more cranes, more wishes that somehow by some last minute miracle Sadako will make a turn for the better. However true to life, not everyone lives, Sadako passes away. However she was able to stay positive while she was alive due to the pure hope the cranes granted her.

Siena wrote: "Finn wrote: ""Sadako slid a thin, trembling hand over to touch the golden crane. Life was slipping away from her, but the crane made Sadako feel stronger inside. She looked at her flock hanging fro..."

I actually see another version of the cranes being a symbol; though admittedly, it might seem a bit far-fetched. The introduction of the cranes has Chizuko telling Sadako that if the creator makes 1,000 thousand paper cranes, "...the gods will grant her [Sadako's] wish and make her healthy again" (Coerr 36). In a way, this myth personifies the idea of Sadako "flying away" from leukemia, and being able to return to a normal childhood. Even if it isn't obvious, I think this contributes to Sadako's innocence and free spirit, as she takes this myth so seriously that she doesn't stop until she is too weak physically to continue. If she weren't so fatigued from her illness, it is very likely that Sadako would continue to make the paper cranes, just to continue working towards her end goal of overcoming such a trauma.

Dorothy wrote: "Siena wrote: "Finn wrote: ""Sadako slid a thin, trembling hand over to touch the golden crane. Life was slipping away from her, but the crane made Sadako feel stronger inside. She looked at her flo..."

Ohhh I really like that take on the cranes. Sadako is so innocent and seeing her suffer and then having her getting a wish and pain alleviated that hits me in the feels. Having it be something that flies away, I mean. I think it is a bit of an Americanized view though, we see something from the "gods" as a fantasy" (Coerr 36). By this I am referring to our disbelief in something like Shintoism, we often discredit it as a legitimate belief system without even meaning to. Sadako legitimately believes that if she folds these cranes the gods will grant her wish of solving her pain. The Japanese perspective is that there is actually a chance of this happening if you assign yourself to these belief systems. However what we take from this tale is the romanticized version of a girl who is innocent, hopeful, and dying. Nothing can actually save her during that time period, remember what she is going through, such as daily blood transfusions (Coerr 56). There is a legitimate chance that through modern medicine she could take a turn for the better however if she had actually reached 1000 would some Shinto gods have actually ensured her recovery? Who knows, probably not, but anything is possible and Sadako believes it is possible.