Characters
Gives Tree-ear enough food for both him and his friend
Ajima
Identify the Literary Device:
"Tree-ear shook his head hard, like a dog shaking off water."
Simile
What does Tree-ear make for Crane-man?
A clay monkey figure
Makes a dangerous journey to help his master
Tree-ear
What time period is A Single Shard set in and where?
12th century, Korea
Grants much-desired commissions to artists around the country
Emissary Kim
“This scrawny scarecrow of a child claims a royal appointment?” (133)
Metaphor
What is Min’s dream?
To get the royal commission
Village in which most of the story is set
Ch’ulp’o
What is Tree-ear’s dream?
To make a Prunus Vase
Takes a great deal of time creating extraordinary pots
Min
"Another recollection broke through his thought, like a fish breaking the surface of the water."
Simile
What does Kang inlay on his vases?
Chrysanthemums
Location of the palace in which Emissary Kim lives
Songdo
What does Min inlay on his vases?
Lotus Blossoms and Peonies
Gives Tree-ear good advice and weaves sandals
Crane-Man
Personification
Why isn't Min as secretive about his work as the other potters in the village are?
Min does not feel that the other potters can imitate his skill.
Where Tree-ear was attached by robbers
Rock of Falling Flowers
Why does Crane-man insist that Tree-ear visits the Rock of Falling Flowers?
To inspire him to have courage in the face of tragedy and difficult situations.
First potter in Ch'ulp'o to make use of the inlay technique
Kang
“Soon winter rode on the back of the wind as it swept down the mountain slopes toward the village.”
Personification
Why did Min smash all 5 vases?
Because they were ruined in the kiln. They were oxidized and all have brown spots and an impure glaze.
Where Tree-ear notices that there is a pottery stall selling work with inlay techniques that resemble Kang's innovation.
Puyo
What is the significance of the book's title being A Single Shard?
Min wins the commission based only on the Single Shard that was left from the pottery that was broken by the robbers.