Pachinko: A Multi-Generational Saga
Historical Context and Setting
Pachinko, written by Min Jin Lee, is a sweeping epic that spans nearly a century of Korean history, from 1910 to 1989. The novel is set against the backdrop of Japan's colonization of Korea and the subsequent struggles of Korean immigrants in Japan.
Note
The title "Pachinko" refers to a type of vertical pinball machine popular in Japan, which serves as a metaphor for the characters' lives – a game of chance and skill in which the odds are stacked against them.
Main Characters
Sunja
Sunja is the protagonist and matriarch of the family. Her journey from a small fishing village in Korea to Osaka, Japan forms the core of the narrative.
"Living everyday in the presence of those who refuse to acknowledge your humanity takes great courage."
This quote encapsulates Sunja's resilience in the face of discrimination and hardship.
Hansu
A wealthy and mysterious Korean businessman who becomes entangled with Sunja. His actions set in motion many of the events that shape the family's destiny.
Isak
A kind-hearted Christian minister who marries Sunja and takes her to Japan, offering her a chance at a new life.
Noa and Mozasu
Sunja's sons, who represent different paths of assimilation and resistance in Japanese society.
Themes
Identity and Belonging
One of the central themes of Pachinko is the struggle for identity and belonging faced by Korean immigrants in Japan.
Example
Noa's desperate attempts to pass as Japanese, even going so far as to change his name and cut ties with his family, illustrate the profound impact of discrimination on one's sense of self.
Resilience and Survival
The novel celebrates the resilience of its characters in the face of overwhelming odds.
"You want to see a very bad man? Make an ordinary man successful beyond his imagination. Let's see how good he is when he can do whatever he wants."
