Aug 24, 2012

Daniel learns how to punch....at Miyagi's house

More examples of how the book differs from the movie.

Daniel's punching lesson comes the same day he and Mr. Miyagi go to the lake where Daniel practices his balance, (the whole scene taking place after the country club scene) but his punching lesson comes at Mr. Miyagi's house.

So confusing.

Chapter 22, page 96

That afternoon Daniel sat at the oars of a rowboat on a lake with Mr. Miyagi. No mention was made of the scene at Mr. Miyagi's on Friday night. It was as if it had never happened. But it had.

"Stop. Stand. Bow," commanded the old man.

Carefully, Daniel lay down the oars and stood, bowing courteously.

"Not bow. Bow," said Mr. Miyagi, pointing to the front of the boat.

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page 97

"When am I going to learn to punch?" he asked.

In response, Mr. Miyagi began to rock the boat, breaking Daniel's rhythm and tipping him. Unceremoniously, Daniel landed, shoulder first, in the cold water. When he emerged, sputtering, Mr. Miyagi answered his question.

"When learn keep dry," he said wryly, and helped Daniel climb back into the boat.

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page 98

"Why train then?" the old man challenged.

"So I won't have to fight."

Mr. Miyagi smiles broadly, obviously proud of Daniel's growing wisdom.

"Hope for you yet," he complimented. "Come, row."

"Where to?" asked Daniel, obeying.

"Ready to learn punch."

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Chapter 23, page 99

"One inch," said Mr. Miyagi, standing on the new deck of his house. "Secret of punch is to make whole power of body fit into one inch."

"Oh yeah?" said Daniel, laughing at the idea. "Which inch?"

In a split second, Mr. Miyagi's fist came into Daniel's vision, powered by the awesome energy of the old man's body. The fist stopped as suddenly as it had started, a hair's breadth from Daniel's nose. Mr. Miyagi pointed to his first two knuckles.

"This inch."

Daniel understood.