Introduction
Determination is the unwavering perseverance and commitment to achieving one’s goals, no matter the obstacles. This powerful human drive for purpose propels the pottery making at the heart of Linda Sue Park’s Newbery Award-winning novel, The Single Shard. Spanning decades, the book chronicles the dogged determination of Tree-ear, an orphan boy striving to become a master potter in 12th century Korea. Tree-ear’s grit in learning his craft parallels the painstaking process of creating celadon pottery itself. This essay will examine how determination enables Tree-ear’s coming of age as an artisan and sustains the beauty of Korean celadon ceramics across centuries. Appreciating the role of determination in The Single Shard can deepen our understanding of what drives human aspirations.
Centuries of Celadon: A Testament to Perseverance
Centuries before Park’s narrative, Chinese potters discovered the technical complexity of celadon glazing techniques in the 9th century. Green-glazed ceramics produced during the Korean Goryeo period from around 700 to 1300 AD perfected the jade-like finish that became synonymous with celadon. Creating these prized works demanded determination over decades of trial and error. In her novel set during the Goryeo, Park immerses readers in the intricacies of forming flawless clay vessels and applying the exacting celadon glaze. We witness Tree-ear’s employer, the master potter Min, and his competitor Ajima devote years of practice to refine their craft. Tree-ear too spends years sweeping floors and completing menial tasks in Min's workshop before being allowed to touch clay.
Tree-ear's Journey: A Tale of Resolute Determination
Tree-ear’s story arc embodies how determination powers human progress. Orphaned early in the novel, Tree-ear tenaciously believes that Min will teach him pottery to give his life meaning. He focuses all his will on this sole ambition despite backbreaking labor Min assigns like hauling water jars up and down mountains. When Min's rival Ajima offers to make Tree-ear his apprentice, Tree-ear refuses, knowing it would betray his purpose. At the novel's climax, a royal commission to create celadon ware for the emperor's wedding tests the protagonists. While Min and Tree-ear meet the challenge thanks to their determination, Ajima fails from impatience, pressuring his pottery into the kiln too soon and ruining the set. Tree-ear’s coming of age parallels the flawless ceramics he finally creates, realizing his determination.
The Triumph of Patience
Some argue that Tree-ear’s tenacity borders on obsession that stifles other opportunities like joining Ajima’s workshop sooner. However, Min repeatedly tells Tree-ear that patience is essential to becoming a master potter, supporting Tree-ear’s unwavering commitment to his goal. Tree-ear’s determination pays off hugely when he alone is able to recreate Min’s famously intricate thousand-crane celadon vase. Had Tree-ear jumped from Min to Ajima early on, he likely would not have gained the skills needed for this ultimate achievement. Tree-ear’s devotion shows that singular focus fuels mastery.
Addressing the Counterargument
Beyond informing Tree-ear’s fictional growth, determination has enabled celadon production for centuries. Laborers in Korea and China hand-mined the fine clay needed for vessels. Artists mixed painstakingly sourced pigments like crushed cobalt ores to tint glazes. Potters in The Single Shard spend years purifying these raw materials before forming flawless clay bodies able to withstand multiple firings without cracking. The meticulous process mirrors Tree-ear’s and Min’s unwavering daily toil. Determination led craftsmen to build kilns maintaining the 1,200°C needed to fire celadon. They passed down techniques over generations like Min’s secret dragon kiln. This collective persistence perfected celadon glazes that even today’s technology cannot reproduce.
Conclusion
The Single Shard illustrates how human resolve for purpose can drive personal growth and fuel artistic ingenuity. Tree-ear envisions a meaningful life through pottery mastery, and his dogged tenacity to learn from Min allows him to achieve success. The Koreans who discovered celadon also deeply desired to create pure beauty through clay and glazes. Their shared commitment across centuries shaped a unique ceramic tradition. Whether striving for individual achievement or cultural innovation, determination is essential to propelling human endeavors. Our accomplishments can one day inspire others if we, like Tree-ear, remain devoted to our goals.
