Efore Manjiro’s father had died, he had taught Manjiro about Bushido, the samurai code of honor.
“I wouldn’t be that kind of samurai,” Manjiro said. “I’d be like the noble samurai of old times: heroic warriors who were loyal to their lords, and who studied calligraphy and poetry as well as the art of fighting.”
“We can never go back to Japan, you know,” Goemon said, staring across the sea.
“Why not?”
“The law says, ‘Any person who leaves the country and later returns will be put to death.’ ”
—Heart of a Samurai,
Margi Preus
What evidence in the text indicates that culture affects Manjiro’s life?
His village is far away from the hub of government and power.
The law says that he and his friends can never return to Japan.
Before his father died, he had told Manjiro stories about samurais and what they do.
The loyal and heroic samurai of old times were all gone.