I guess you'll never become a samurai now, huh, Manjiro-chan?" "Why not?" Manjiro asked. "Even if we should get home, you know very well you can't be. You weren't born into a samurai family. You were born a fisherman's son and you will be a fisherman, and any sons you have, they also will be fishermen. That is the way it is; that is the way it has always been; that is the way it will always be." —Heart of a Samurai, Margi Preus What does this dialogue tell you about the time and culture of the characters? Things do not change. The characters might not get home. Manjiro wants to be a samurai. Manjiro is a fisherman.