The Encounter story
A samurai sword sparks a conflict between a World War II veteran and a Japanese-American. Directed by: Robert Butler. Story by: Martin M. Goldsmith.
11 total · 1 choice · 4 major · 6 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| racism in society | choice | Arthur objected to Fenton's variously indirect and variously overt prejudices about Japanese people. |
| coping with post-traumatic stress | major | Both Fenton and Arthur had troublesome memories of the war. |
| ethnic hatred | major | The Pacific War veteran Fenton's animus for the Japanese repeatedly manifested itself during the course of his interaction with a young Japanese-American named Arthur. |
| hatred | major | Both Fenton and Arthur became filled with hate when in possession of the cursed samurai sword. |
| haunted object | major | Fenton had a haunted Japanese sword which manipulated its holders so as to avenge its original owner. |
| alcohol abuse | minor | Fenton was fired for drinking on the job, and implied that his wife had recently left him on account of his drinking. |
| coping with getting dumped | minor | Fenton said he was cranky among other things because his wife had left him. |
| foreign point of view | minor | Arthur objected to Fenton's prejudiced views about his Japanese name and heritage. |
| loneliness | minor | Fenton was lonely, which was why he insisted on conversing with Arthur despite Arthur's Japanese complexion. |
| war crime | minor | There was some talk about Fenton having killed a surrendering Japanese officer because he was taught to think of them as inhuman and take no prisoners. |