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Gender in Pachinko

 It is clear to me that gender plays a large role in Pachinko. Sunja has many social pressures that consume her life. Most of these social pressures are a result of her being female. For example, when she gets pregnant while being single, she is pressured to leave her life in Korea behind to find a man to marry and provide for her so that she is not judged by society. This demonstrates that society is not supporting women to live independent lives and/or pursue an education. The only expectations for women include being good mothers and good wives. 

Another example of gender roles playing a big role in Pachinko is women as part of the workforce. In Japan, it becomes apparent that women aren't encouraged to work. In fact, Yoseb takes it as a hit to his ego as a man when Sunja and Kyunghee tell him they wish to work. He is insulted because in Japan, a man is supposed to provide for women. 

Comments

  1. Jalen PaigeMarch 5, 2023 at 11:23 PM

    I think it is interesting to look at what the novel says about gender dynamics. Yoseb is not necessarily portrayed as a bad guy for his masculinity, but as sort of misunderstood. Masculinity and the desire to protect/work for others is not necessarily bad, until it does more harm than good. I think that is a powerful message on how gender roles, even if intended to be positive, can be harmful.

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  2. Noah English 11H BlogMarch 6, 2023 at 12:20 PM

    I like how you emphasize that in Japan, women aren't only discouraged from working, but it is almost as if it is considered morally wrong for them to work. It goes to the cultural extent that Yoseb is insulted by the notion of Sunja and Kyunghee wanting to work because it attacks his ability/capacity to provide for women and family. And that ego socially supersedes women's autonomy, liberty, and right to be equal agents in society.

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  3. Catalina DegnanMarch 6, 2023 at 10:00 PM

    Hi James, I like how you highlighted the gender difference when it comes to women of the time working in Japan. That was something I noticed and similarly highlighted in my own analysis of gender. I think Kyunghee and Sunja's motivation to find work to support their families is not only admirable, but a jab at the traditional roles expected of Japanese women. I think Pachinko is trying to show that women were capable of subverting the norm, even when faced with patriarchal conditions.

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