Peacechild: Choose a representative passage from this novel that holds particular significence to you. Type it in and comment on its significance.

Entry 8

"By 1972, the Christian world view was already sinking its root deep into the Sawi mind. Men who once abused and even tortured their wives as subhuman chattels and slaves now openly acknowledged their rights as cherishable companions and helpmeets...Women who once indulged in moodiness, screaming tirades and highly abusive speech now manifested a compelling newness and warmth of personality. Children were no longer being primed for war...Gefam ason and the waness bind were now only bad memories." (pg.231)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This passage displayed the consummation of Richardson's pursuit of conversion. I consider this passage to be the crux of this book. It was an event that could be related to the moment a butterfly is born of a long wait in the cocoon. The Sawi no longer observed their "barbaric" traditions and had taken its first step in joining to become an auxiliary member of society.

It also reminded me of the ephemeral nature of culture and how that change in itself becomes a part of culture. In Korea, for example, fads come and go. Women, who were considered inferior to men and are still discriminated against, have gained a noticeable increase of rights. Feminist movements allowed women more dignified pathways, allowing deliverance from the role of obedient housewife. Women are now reigning in distinguished positions, they have equal say in a marriage, and have joined men in social hierarchies. The era of the subservient housewives have been replaced by independent, capable women. It has now come to a point in which I cannot imagine a Korea without female politicians, mothers without careers, nor women without a college degree. This has become a component of Korean culture (one which I am personally grateful for).

Change is inevitable. Change may or may not be necessary, but all the same, it cannot be escaped. I, personally, am not a huge advocate of imposing upon functioning cultures at all nor dramatic change in general, but Richardson had a point in stating that someone eventually would (although I disagree with the follow-up comment about the matter of compassion involved as stated in Entry 3)eventually interfere with the Sawi way of life. Because the world is constantly in a civil war attempting to encroach upon and conquer (imperialism really hasn't ever perished), there was no doubt that someone would eventually do so to the Sawi. This, I think, is because the world (which is usually defined by the current superpower) loves to play "doctor" and habitually diagnoses healthy men with an illness called "it's malignant tumor-if-you're-different" in order to socially circumvent and cram them into society.

Anyways...

In the big picture, the conversion seen in Peace Child is really nothing. It has happened to hundreds of others. Change of culture has continually occured (according to whoever has the power at the time). It has happened everywhere. Such a global movement has been 'snow-globed' in this passage about the Sawi. Although, the means and the reason may be unjustifiable, the Sawi must now accept an evolving culture and transform with the rest of the world.

That is what this passage symbolized to me: metamorphasis and civilization.