The Importance Of Change In Ken Liu's 'Mono No Aware'

Since the beginning of the Earth, humans have slowly shown Earth how they can adapt to the surroundings that change ever so slightly. Change is an occurring theme that forces humans with decisions that affect the rest of their lives. It alters our thinking, understanding, and morals. Unlike other organisms, feelings are also a major impact that drives humans to form extensive choices. This alone causes some humans feel as if it is the biggest compelling reason to change based on how they feel about something or someone. To understand what it means to become human, it requires an emotional understanding of the world as well as others around you because without feelings, you will not have a compelling reason to change. First, in Ken Liu’s “Mono No Aware”, the main character Hiroto embarks on a personal journey, remembering what his childhood was like before the asteroid, Hammer, collided with the earth, to his job now on the voyager, Hopeful. When Hiroto was still on earth, his father told him “We are not defined by our individual loneliness, but by the web of relationships in which we’re enmeshed.” (Liu). His girlfriend, mother, and father shaped Hiroto throughout different parts of his own life and construct him into the man he is today. There comes a time in the short story when Hopeful’s sail has a tear that could jeopardize the ship 's course and take them through the wonders of space. Remembering of all of what Hiroto has learned throughout his journey, Hiroto