Relationship Between Korea and Japan

 As I have been reading this novel, I have made some connections between the different relationships and how these relationship dynamics are similar or different from each other. To begin comparing and contrasting Sunja and Hansu’s relationship to Akiko and Noa’s relationship, Sunja is a Korean woman and Hansu is a Korean man. In Akiko and Noa’s relationship, we all understand that Akiko is Japanese and Noa is Korean. The upbringings of these characters definitely differ as well because Yumi comes from a very poor family with many issues, and Akiko grew up in a very wealthy family where her issues during her childhood do not compare to any of the experiences Akiko faced as she was growing up. 

    I do realize that as a Japanese woman, Akiko’s “issues” she faces do not compare to the issues some of the other characters have faced and are currently facing in their lives. Akiko should be content as a Japanese woman in Japan, but of course she must become a savior and be with Noa in order to make herself feel better. Akiko definitely only cares about herself which compares to Sunja because although Sunja has many daily struggles, she is not self centered like Akiko. This highlights how your upbringing and struggles changes who you are and makes you more of a complex person who truly cares for the feelings of others instead of focusing on your own issues 24/7. Overall, there are many differences between the relationships in this novel. 

Comments

  1. Avery PiersonMarch 8, 2022 at 2:57 PM

    I agree with your point about how the different upbringings might play a part in the differences between Akiko and Sunja. This is something I had not really thought about, but it could definitely be part of the reason for Akiko's self centeredness.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Max WhiteMarch 11, 2022 at 2:40 PM

    I think that what you talked about is one of the major things that Lee is arguing for in the book. Lee is saying that your upbringing effects who you turn into when you grow up rather than the race you are born into. I think this goes back to the debate over nature versus nurture.

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