End of Pachinko
Now that we have finished Pachinko, my mind is called to an in class discussion we had last week where we were talking about the main theme of the book. In other words, what is Lee trying to get across? I think there is still no one answer to this question. In Pachinko, Lee has weaved together so many complex characters and storylines to portray intergenerational struggles that it's hard to settle on one main lesson or meaning.
However, I think an aspiring summation of the book is resilience. Lee shows through her characters that despite the odds, a family can remain connected with each other and survive long enough to see success with the younger generations. All of her characters experience some sort of struggles. For Sunja, it is having a baby of out wedlock and struggling with the move to Japan. For characters such as Noa and Mozasu, it is grappling with their identity as a minority in an environment that constantly bashes them and keeps them isolated. Despite the odds, all characters triumph in their own ways. Sunja lives long enough to see her grandson, Solomon, carry on the family legacy and success. Mozasu becomes extremely wealthy despite being told that he will amount to nothing because he is Korean. I think if anything, this is the heart of Pachinko.
I also think that the theme of resilience connects to another lesson: finding belong and identity in a society that rejects you. Lee shows that one can make a home for oneself even in an environment that is cold and hostile. This is most notable with Mozasu's success in the pachinko business and Solomon's relationship with his Korean heritage. Both characters are resilient in trying to build their lives in hostile Japan. I think the ending of Pachinko sums up this lesson nicely. Solomon comes to the conclusion that, "In a way, Solomon was Japanese, too, even if the Japanese didn't think so... There was more to being something than just blood" (471). This is a stark contrast from the beginning of the book, in which many of the characters felt a sense of hopelessness knowing they could never achieve certain things because of their Korean background.
Hey Catalina, I would agree that resilience and identity play a huge role within the novel. Despite how there are so many struggles and oppression stacked against these characters, most of them, find some way to come back or at least make it farther than others would have thought otherwise. Overall, great analysis and post on the themes of Pachinko!
ReplyDeleteHi Catalina, I also noticed the theme of resilience as well. Sunja was always struggling emotionally because of Noa and Hansu and financially because of the cost of Noa's school, but never gave up and worked hard through it all. Mozasu was also a good example that you brought up. He fought through the bullying and his lack of good grades to become a successful pachinko manager.
ReplyDeleteHey Catalina, I hadn't really thought too much about the theme of resilience. I think it often gets overlooked as a theme in favor of women's struggles. However, I agree that it plays a big role in the novel after giving it some thought. While the characters face so much discrimination and oppression, many of them find a way to survive in the hostile society and live their best life possible.
ReplyDeleteHey Catalina! Thanks for sharing! I agree with the themes and meanings you've shared here. Resilience was a huge theme in this book. Each character was struggling with something different and Lee did a great job of showing the readers how each character faced their struggles.
ReplyDeleteHi Catalina! I totally agree. Although there were many sad points in Pachinko, I think it had an underlying theme of hope and resilience. Every character struggled with something so personal and difficult to them. Many of their struggles are problems that many people face and I feel like it sheds light and sets an example for those to keep going. I also think it showed me that I have to accept my identity and become really in touch with myself.
ReplyDeleteHey Catalina, I never really thought of resilience as being one of the main themes but it most certainly is so I appreciate you bringing light to it. You are right that by the end of the book, the characters, especially Solomon, remain so strong that they can no longer be ignored by Japanese society. What he did and accomplished had to be acknowledged. Resilience plays a more interesting role with characters like Noa because he at first seems like the most resilient character in the novel until he is devastated by the news of his true father.
ReplyDelete