A Single Shard

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2001

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-13

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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Discussion Questions

Character Analysis

Tree-ear

Tree-ear is an orphan boy who is approximately 12 years old when the story begins. His nickname derives from a species of mushroom that appears to have no parent seed, like the boy himself. Tree-ear’s parents died when he was still a toddler, and the only family he has ever known is Crane-man. Tree-ear is skinny and usually hungry because he has to forage for food in the town’s trash heaps. Despite the hardship of his existence, he keeps a hopeful attitude and rejoices at every small windfall that comes his way. As he grows older, Tree-ear generously tries to help the elderly Crane-man by performing tasks that are beyond the old man’s ability.

Aside from his attachment to Crane-man, Tree-ear’s only other interest is pottery making. Although he is at first rebuffed by Min, the best potter in the village, Tree-ear volunteers to work for Min for free, hoping one day to learn his craft. Over the course of the novel, Tree-ear faces repeated setbacks and moments of disappointment, but he never completely gives up his dream of one day becoming a master potter. His determination eventually pays off when Min formally accepts him as an apprentice and welcomes him into the potter’s home.

Crane-man

Crane-man has had a difficult life. He was born with a twisted foot and calf, forcing him to walk with the aid of a crutch and stand on one leg like a crane. After his family passes away, he makes his home under a bridge. Despite these disadvantages, Crane-man is resourceful and wise. He manages to provide food and shelter for himself and even takes in the orphaned Tree-ear.

The old man is supportive of the boy’s dream of one day becoming a potter; he also and offers wise advice whenever Tree-ear is troubled. Crane-man points out the distinction between the dignity of work and the degradation of stealing. His words guide Tree-ear at several points in the novel, when the boy is unsure if his own behavior is ethical or not. Although Crane-ear accidentally dies shortly before the end of the novel, his cheerful nature and philosophical attitude demonstrate a life well lived.

Min

Min is an elderly master potter whose work is considered the best in his village. Even the palace emissary is impressed with his craftsmanship. However, Min is also a perfectionist who takes a very long time to produce a piece of work. He secretly harbors the lifelong ambition of receiving a palace commission.

Min also nurtures bitter resentment that his only son died long before Min could pass along his skills. As a result, he is short-tempered and demanding when Tree-ear volunteers to work for him. Min frequently fails to see the good that surrounds him. In a fit of anger, he shatters all the imperfect vases that he made to show the emissary, too proud to display the shards even though they were good enough to win the commission. Min is critical of Tree-ear’s performance and initially denies him the chance to learn the pottery trade. By the end of the novel, Min comes to realize that life has given him a second chance in Tree-ear, and he belatedly welcomes the boy into his home as his new apprentice and adopted son.

Ajima

Ajima is Min’s patient and long-suffering wife. She puts up with her husband’s irascible temperament with characteristic good humor. Ajima is particularly kind to the orphaned Tree-ear. When she realizes that he is saving half his food to feed Crane-man, she doubles his lunch ration. She also gives him warm clothing intended for her late son.

Unlike Min, Ajima doesn’t make distinctions between blood relatives and kinship of the heart. She insists that Tree-ear should address her as “auntie” even though they are not related. Over the course of the story, she earns Tree-ear’s loyalty and affection because of her goodness. Her kindness to the orphan boy is amply rewarded when he returns from Songdo with a valuable palace commission for her husband.