Relationships

One of the primary themes running through the novel is relationships. In this particular novel, the relationships include friendships and family relationships. Friendship is one type of relationship the novel tackles. Manjiro is friends with the Japanese fishermen because they have a common goal of finding fish to feed their families back in their respective villages. When the fishermen end up shipwrecked together, their bond strengthens because they have to depend on one another to live.

When the fishermen board the John Howland, Manjiro extends his friendship to the sailors aboard the ship. At this point, Manjiro starts to struggle with his allegiance to his Japanese friends and his forming friendships with his friends from the west. Additionally, the captain and Manjiro become very good friends. Their commitment to one another and their friendship is represented throughout the novel. The bond the two share morphs into a father-son...