Symbols

·         Blue Stone~ This stone that the narrator got as a little gift from Herbie, his brother always serves as that safety resort. Whenever the narrator encounters a situation, he instinctively goes for the stone and plays around with it. The stone is like no other from the home island of the narrator. It is smooth and the hue of blue is unique. Blue signifies calm, yet sadness. The smoothness of the stone can show that during rough times, it can be relied on to smooth things out. It is a part of the narrator that attaches him to his family back home, a reminder as to why he is out and abroad. To protect his family and country which he loves. I feel that this stone brings back the narrator and helps him remember exactly why he chose to go through all this hardship and sign up for the army.

·         Cat Island~ This island is contradictory of its name. Cat, yet a facility where dogs are trained. I feel this is how the narrator and his crew are viewed in the eyes of everyone else. They are a contradiction, loyal American soldiers who happen to be Japanese. Japanese, who is the sole enemy of the war raging on. What they have to realize, is that inside, they are truly dogs. Loyal and man’s best friend, their outside may be Jap, but inside they are true to their nation of America.

·         Cow Rays~ These stingray are harmless, yet they give fear onto the narrator and crew as they wade to shore. Although the rays will not hurt anything, at first they are taken in as a threat. It isn’t until Leroy tells that these stingray are friendly that the narrator eases up, yet not completely. The sting rays symbolize the narrator and other American Japs. They are not harmful to America in any way, yet at first glance they seem threatening. Just like how even after it was known they are not harmful, the narrator and crew are looked at with caution.

·         Horse Meat~ The meat is used to cover up scent and attract the dogs. This is exactly a portrayal of what I see the training program of these dogs and all the work that is set out for the narrator and crew. It is just all a huge cover up.Just like how the horse meat covers scent, this “training camp” is all just a cover up as well to keep the Japs away from US lines. They do not trust the narrator and crew simply because they are Japanese and will do anything to keep them busy.

·         Dogs~ Just like how these dogs are trained to mindlessly hunt down and hate the Japs, I feel that this is the mentality of other American soldiers. They are mindlessly driven to the fact and assuming that ALL Japs are “enemies” no matter what. This puts the narrator and crew who are loyal Americans in a disadvantaged spot.

·         US Coast Guards~ These Coast Guards simply represent America’s ignorance towards all Jap soldiers, even the American ones. They have that mentality that no matter what, if you are Japanese you are not allies.

Check out this glogster to see what I mean! --Symbolisms