Guterson draws many parallels between characters. He uses these parallels to shed light on certain characters by developing similar personality traits in related characters. He also uses it as a means of demonstrating commonalities between people with perceived differences, ie. between the Japanese and the Hakujin.

He parallels Ishmael and Kabuo in their relationship with Hatsue. Both spy on her as teenagers while she works around the house or picks strawberries: "Ishmael, from three rows off, watched Hatsue at her work" compared with "he'd (Kabuo) squatted down across from her, and picking, took her in."

The lives of Kabuo and Carl are parallelled. Both have a deep love of the land in spite the fact that each is working at sea. Guterson develops Carl's softer side by Ishmael's memory of him "Carl was watching snow geese...." Kabuo and Carl grew up as friends, separated by war and circumstances...