Two parallel story lines being told throughout Snow Falling on Cedars illustrate the importance of point of view. Many times facts end up being distorted, skewed, or conveniently forgotten. In order to have a satisfactory resolution, the two story lines — Kabuo's trial for murder and Ishmael's lost love affair — require insight previously unavailable. This newfound information dramatically changes perceptions and understanding.
In Kabuo's story line, when the truth finally comes to light, obviously the prosecution's entire case is based on an incorrect interpretation of the facts. Circumstantial evidence, mixed with hatred, anger, resentment, and lying, provides jurors with more than enough information to find Kabuo guilty. Ironically, Kabuo does consider himself guilty, but not of the crime with which he is charged. Kabuo's sense of justice goes beyond the courtroom of San Piedro. In fact, it goes beyond the life that Kabuo is currently living. However, his philosophical beliefs and wartime "crimes" have no bearing on the procedures on hand. By the time Hatsue and Kabuo tell the truth about what happened the night of Carl's death, very few are willing to believe him. It doesn't look good for him; however, that is the time Ishmael makes his life-defining decision: He reveals what he knows.
