Shard by Linda Sue Park

¶ … Shard by Linda Sue Park [...] why master potter Min is very gruff and seldom shows any approval toward anyone in his life. Linda Sue Park's novel won the 2002 Newbury Medal children's book award, and takes place in 12th century Korea. It tells the story of Tree-ear, an orphan who lives under a bridge with his friend Crane-man, and Tree-ear's interest in pottery and the village's best potter, Min. These compelling characters propel the book forward and engross the reader, and Min, the master potter, is one of the key characters in the book, because he is the catalyst that forms Tree-ear's dreams and hopes. He is gruff and seldom shows approval because he is old and has suffered many disappointments in his life. He lost a son that was just about Tree-ear's age, and he has never attained the level of mastery and support in his potter's career that he has hoped for, so he takes out his frustrations and disappointments in those around him.

Min is angry and gruff because he is unhappy. He has lost a son and he is angry about that, and he has not attained the height in his career that he has hoped to attain because he is a perfectionist who will not work faster to sell more of his pottery. And so, he is angry and gruff with those around him to cover up his own sadness and depression. The author shows this in the scene where Min tells Tree-ear is not his son. She writes, "Tree-ear saw the potter's eyes, fierce with grief and rage. Min choked out the last words: 'You are not my son'" (Park 95). Min is bitter and angry that he has lost a son, but he is also incredibly sad that he has no one to pass his craft on to. He is bound by traditions of the past, and he cannot let go of them, and so, he will not bend and teach his craft to Tree-ear. All of these things combine to make him an unhappy, bitter, and unfulfilled man. In addition, Min seems a little hopeless because he cannot see the future or hope for anything better. When his pottery does not meet his standards, he destroys it, and only comes up with excuses when the emissary wants him to submit another piece anyway. He is his own worst enemy at times, only thinking of reasons why he cannot do something, rather than searching for ways to make it work.

Of course, Min must change as the story continues, because in the end, he adopts Tree-ear, coming to love him almost as much as the son he lost. Min has gained the success he wanted in his career, and that has helped him become a happier and gentler man, but he has also learned to love again. He has learned to love Tree-ear and to share his pain of loss with him when Crane-man dies. He is not totally "saved" by the end of the novel, he is still gruff at times, and he still relies on his wife to tell the most important news to Tree-ear, but he is on the path to change, and he has already become softer and gentler. It is clear that he has transformed from the beginning to the end of the novel, and that Tree-ear is the cause of that transformation. The ending does not follow Tree-ear to maturity, but it is clear from the hopeful tone at the end of the novel that Min and Tree-ear will continue to grow closer, and that Tree-ear will learn his trade well, and represent Min well, too. This, Min should grow more content as he ages, and Tree-ear will have been the catalyst that brought them together and help bind them as one.

The author seems to want to show that Min is a man who is living in the past, and it has made him angry and even cruel. He is also full of pride, and cannot admit defeat. When he does, it simply makes him more angry and bitter. He must turn his back on his past and learn from his mistakes, rather than simply give up in defeat. When he returns to the future and begins to appreciate what he has, and what he has attained, he becomes and kinder and gentler man who can open up his heart to love again.

The author also wants to show that even the most angry and unhappy man can learn to love again. Tree-ear is a good and honest boy who always wants to do the right thing. He loves Crane-man, and he comes to love Min's wife, as well. They show him kindness, and he gives them his heart in return. It takes Min a lot longer to learn the lesson, but the reader learns he has a heart when Min gently breaks the news of Crane-man's death to Tree-ear. The author writes, "This other, detached Tree-ear noticed that Min's eyes were soft, his face gentle. It was the first time Tree0ear had ever seen him so" (Park 143). Min and Tree-ear are almost even now, because they have both lost someone they loved, and so, Min has learned a lesson about love and can finally get over the anger and unhappiness of his past to move on with his future. He has also allowed himself to care for someone else and their feelings, and because of this, he seems much more hopeful and able to cope with the future as the novel ends.