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Topic of Interest: Identity in "Pachinko"

After writing the first blog post about Yumi's struggle to become integrated into Japanese society, I decided I wanted to focus my topic on the issue of identity in Pachinko. Many characters in the novel are insecure about their Korean roots as they live in a Japanese society that views Korean blood as dirty or impure. In Pachinko, we see characters who refute their Korean ancestry because they feel insecure and worthless in a society that is anti-Korean. In particular, when Noa finds out that his real biological father is actually Hansu (who is Korean), he is upset because he believes his blood is dirty since society suggests that Hansu's blood was dirty. All of this demonstrates to us that many characters struggled with their identity in a society that promoted discrimination.

Comments

  1. Andrew BautistaMarch 13, 2023 at 1:34 AM

    Hi James! Insecurity about one's identity is definitely a common thread among pretty much all the Korean characters, except Hansu whose status and ability sort of negate a lot of the issues any other Korean would face. It certainly stems from the way they are treated rather than some intrinsic difference they believe in.

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  2. Noah English 11H BlogMarch 13, 2023 at 12:45 PM

    The insecurity and rejection of identity you write about puts those Koreans in a unique position. They aren't accepted by Japanese society, but they do not accept their Korean identity. So where is there home, where are they accepted, and where does this leave them in society? They are in a strange limbo between the two groups, but not inherently a part of either.

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  3. AnonymousMarch 13, 2023 at 10:07 PM

    Hi James, good thoughts! Identity is definitely at the center of this novel. I am still grappling with Noa's story arc and coming to terms with the causes and effects of his death. It is clear that his struggle with his identity which he battled his whole life was a consequence of colonialism and a heavily contributing factor in the tragedy that befell him and his family.

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