Violence

The novel's view on violence is that it should only be used when peace is possible. However, the author also acknow­ledges that the moral choice is not always the viable one, but violence will always lead to more.

Okoa and the teachings of the Hokaia war college clearly state-that violence should always be avoided. When Okoa is asked to teach the Odohaa for an armed uprising, he disagrees with their methods. Okoa says, "If he had learned anything at Ho Kaia, it was that justice came through the actions of humans holding wrongdoers to account, not through some vague divine retribution and certainty not through violence" (210). Okoa genuinely believes that aggression will only lead to more destruction. The Hokaia philosophy on war also agrees with this, saying, "There will always be those who urge you to war. Interrogate their objective. If you find that it...