The dark stained, light-filled door is beyond the realms imagination. Tree-Ear leads in many ways the life of a 12th century Korean poor individual. Tree-Ear, a young boy in Linda Sue Park’s book A Single Shard, leads a life that is representative of disadvantaged individuals living in 12th century Korea. He discovers that darkness will always stand in the way of his journey to light. Park uses symbolism in her narrative to show the true meanings of Yin & Yang. This helps to portray his tenacious and unique character.
The author uses the Yin-Yang symbol to show Tree-ear’s spirituality and tenacity. Tree-Ear is black and white. While the rain shatters like broken glass in the sky, he recalls springtime, which was a temple filled with blessings, blooms, and a new beginning. Tree-ear loves Min’s vase of prunus because of its “sharp angles” (52). Let me introduce the significance of “plums twigs” to Korea. “Plum twigs”, which are a constant reminder of the beauty of spring, are viewed as a gateway to spring. These plants are able to survive the harshness and cold of winter. This quote correlates the Yin-Yang symbol with the use of plum twigs. This quote shows how two opposing forces work together to create something “symmetrical”. It’s a perfect “symmetrical”, circle. Tree-Ear is resilient, and can overcome any obstacle that comes his way. After living under the darkness for so many years, he has not lost hope. Tree-Ear is showing his spiritual and tenacious side. Quote: “Tree Ear grew wrinkled in half-circles in dead or fallen trunks. Without a parental seed, it emerged from the rotten and decayed wood.” (7). Tree-ear growing out in a desolate dark environment is a sign that the forces of good and bad within him have not been balanced. The quote “dead..fallen tree trunks” represents how he is damaged. In scientific terminology, the circulation of energy in tree trunks is quite high. Tree-trunks not functioning means that Tree’s ear has no chance to restore or renew his position in society. Yin and Yang are a full circle symbol. Tree-ear growing in “half circular” shapes shows how the positive and negative energies within him have not been balanced.
This all changes however when he decides he wants to leave his comfort zone. Tree-ear’s spiritual awakening is reflected in the fact that “plum Trees bloomed; petals dropped like snow, hiding shyly amongst the leaves any green buttons” (47) The “green” buttons described in this quote are a great way to illustrate fungus. Tree-ears, like “green buttons”, are also considered fungus. Tree-ear is also no longer a secret because the leaves are no longer hiding it. He’s becoming more confident and less “shy” about the unknown. It is a sign that the positive and negative forces in him are combining. In this way, his balance of Yin-Yang (positive and positive forces) made him a more spiritual person. Tree-Ear drives towards darkness, but with his glasses of imagination and a firm grip on the light. He has passed through the sadness, the solitude, the pain, and finally the light. Tree-ear was shaped into a spiritual and tenacious individual by using the symbolism of Yin and Yang.
Tree-Ear’s uniqueness is also portrayed by the author using the Yin Yang symbol. Tree-Ear had roots that were bound to earth and excluded from the sunless kingdom’s sustenance. Tree-Ear’s roots were bound to the ground for many days of rain and darkness. But he broke free and bathed in sunlight that he thought was beyond his reach. Your roots are important in Korean culture. They determine how you fit into society. Tree-Ear is an outsider of the class society because he “grew without a benefit from a parental seed (7)”. The “seed” is a secret. The seed is the beginning and the end of all things. It’s the dawning and the death of life. The existence of humans depends on a tiny, rounded substance. Tree-Ear never received the right conditions to develop and grow properly, as he did not start with a “seed”. He learned how to grow by his own experiences and not from a parent. You see, this is where he gets his real potential. Tree-Ear was willing to fight his inner as well as outer enemies for passion. Tree-Ear appeared when the sun’s blaze was extinguished and the stars travelled into the endless space. The earth seemed to be cold and pathless. Tree-Ear owes his success to the Yin Symbol. The Yin symbol allows Tree-Ear’s unique personality to develop. He will become a person who is passionate and persistent. Tree-Ear’s family was not something he could have gotten by accident. He had to put in a lot of effort. Tree-Ear’s dream became a reality when he threw (16) Min’s potteries. Tree-Ear’s quest was influenced greatly by the Yin sign. Min would never have hired him if he had not dropped his pottery job. Min can be considered the antagonist in Tree Ear’s story, as he both helps Tree Ear learn to potter and also hinders his progress. Min is often associated with Yin. Tree-Ear finally won Min’s love after long, hard days of work. Min made Tree Ear part of his own family. The Yang symbol has a great deal to do with bringing light into Tree Ear’s world. Tree-Ear could have been an entirely new person, with similar interests and conservative beliefs. A Korean upper-class citizen has a wife and children, as well as easy access. It was difficult for lower-class citizens to gain a higher position in society. Tree-Ear’s achievement was impossible. It is something that only an individual of great uniqueness could do. Tree-Ear’s uniqueness was shaped in the darkness of Yin, which enabled him to move into Yang. Tree-Ear, unlike the majority of the population, sees everything in shades of grey. He can see the dark sky, the green grass and the beautiful sunlight better than anyone.
The author uses the Yin-Yang symbol to capture Tree-Ear’s enlightened personality. Tree-Ear began as a tiny seed hidden in the darkness of the earth. He grew up as a Tree after a long, terrible rain. The Tree reached the sky and bright sunlight. Tree-Ear, at this point, has acquired a wealth of knowledge and wisdom from his travels. Tree-Ear’s life is based on a set of patterns. For example, he lived under a Bridge, lost his best friend, and struggled to survive. However, eventually he found a Home, Family, and Place for Hospitality. We often feel guided by coincidences. Tree-Ear felt a negative energy surrounding his body, which made him gravitate towards the earth. Tree-Ear’s dreams were cloudy when he saw a deer. Tree-Ear was unable to control his connection or detachment at this moment. The deer was the only thing that could draw his attention. Tree-Ear’s journey was guided by the deer sent from Earth. Even though he wasn’t able to touch it, Tree-Ear could clearly see the deer. Tree-Ear’s “dream” was made more vivid by this angelic buck. He incorporated faith and confidence into his heart. Tree-Ear has a lot of hope in this scene, thanks to the Yang sign. He is just a couple steps away from reaching enlightenment. Tree-Ear was about to feel like he’d conquered every fear and desire he ever had when he spotted the fox. He “blinked into clear vision” (114). Tree-Ear fears are embodied in the fox.
Tree-ear could be harboring damaging forces: When Treeear saw the evil fox stare, he “squeezed” his eyes shut (114). He is afraid of his future because he does not want to look at its eyes. He lost all hope that the deer had given him. He notices the fox has disappeared when he “blinks for clear vision” then opens his eyes again. Then he realized that there is no such thing as fear, but only a thick black fog. He could’ve fled from his fear, but he did not. This is true courage. Tree-Ear can also be helped by the Yin Symbol to gain courage. This is a great step towards enlightenment. Tree-Ear’s return with good news was followed by the death of Craneman. The feeling of “detachedness” (143), he began to experience, was the result. Detachment is symbolic of a new beginning, or a way he is letting go a piece of his past self. Ajma calls Tree-Ear Hyungpil to show that he is now a more enlightened person. Tree-Ear got his family, home, hospitality, and new identity, thanks to the Yin & Yang. Tree-Ear seeks the truth in a world that seems full of lies. Tree-Ear is not affected by the sadness and despair that summer leaves bring. Instead, he waits for the flood and bathes himself in the rain. Tree-Ear was able to grow into a giant tree within a period of about one year.
Linda Sue Park used the Yin and Yang symbols to give readers a glimpse into Tree-Ear’s unique, spiritual and tenacious personality. Tree-Ear grew into a person who was able to receive the nourishment of the sun because of his distinct character traits. Tree-Ear is a lonely figure who struggles to break free from the darkness of the shadows. Tree-Ear was able to see a small seed grow from a hole in his mind. It eventually became a garden full of fragrance and sunlight. The story contains an important message. It shows us that the road to light will always have darkness.