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I think my opinion of John Kwang throughout this novel has evolved and changed so many times, that I could not form an honest opinion of his character until after our class today. However, what I got out of class was that I ultimatey feel sympathy for Kwang more than anything else. I feel that much like Henry is an Asian-American looking for his place in the society he lives in, trying to stay true to his Korean roots, while also becoming Americanized enough to appeal to the general public and gain a powerful poliotical position. The problem with this I feel is that Kwang never really handles this dichotomy and it is ultimately the last little bit of his Korean culture that eventually leads to his downfall. I believe this is especially true when dealing with the concept of the ghee. This underground money lending scheme is definitely a Korean concept, and one of the only ties that Kwang has to his Korean roots. This ghee while in my eyes is a good thing, and the mony he is giving to these immigrants to try and get them on their feet, it is still illegal and not part of an American tradition. This one little Korean tradition Kwang participates in shows the reader that he is trying desperately to help all minorites and doing it the only way he knows how, and despite his American facade his true Korean roots show through, and ultimately aid to his demise at the end of the novel proving that it is impossible to stay true to Korean roots and also try and live like a true American politician and gain all the minority support.
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I found that I had a lot of pity for the man. He goes through so much to run for mayor and try to get things for the common person and what happens to him. He gets caught in a scandal concerning the death of a waitress. I felt like he totally shut down towards the end of the novel. Like he dried up and faded away because he didn’t have any purpose in life. I think that if something else happened to Kwang I would feel different but at the moment all I have is pity for the man.
Comment by elphingirl March 27, 2009 @ 6:59 amI definitely think there are a lot of connections between Henry and Kwang, and it is no coincidence that Henry was assigned to that particular case. They are both Koreans living in America, but I tend to think that Kwang has better adapted his “American” identity than Henry.
Comment by marmason March 27, 2009 @ 2:31 am