Busan vs Osaka

 


In both Osaka and Busan, there are major effects of Japanese colonization (obviously in Osaka because it is in Japan). In Busan, Sunja is almost raped by Japanese boys. There is also a presence of Japanese origin looming over the town. However, in Osaka it is much much worse. The Koreans live in a ghetto and are unable to move up in the world. I think the main difference between Busan and Osaka is that in Busan there is a lot more writing in regards to respect and tradition. It seems like Sunja and her mother have a place in the world there, whereas in Osaka Sunja and Isak seem to be thrown into a community that does not care about them. There is, however, a bit of conflict between how Osaka is portrayed vs how Sunja views it. She speaks about how her duties are less strenuous than in Busan, and compares her life to that of a life of luxury. But the narrator describes Osaka as disgusting (at least where Isak’s family lives). The narrator also makes note of the different fashion choices between Busan and Osaka. It is said that in Osaka there is a strong western influence. But Sunja also notes the rich kimonos she sees when she gets off the train station. In conclusion, there are similarities and differences between Osaka and Busan. Neither place is good or bad compared to the other. But this might change down the line when we are in Osaka for more time.


Comments

  1. KrisFebruary 22, 2022 at 2:06 PM

    I definitely see how the descriptions of Osaka are seemingly incongruous, which comes from the differing perspectives of Sunja and Isak. This could stem from the fact that Sunja hasn't been to Osaka before, whereas Isak had been there previously (if I recall correctly). Of course, the biggest proponents of Osaka's filth are the narrator and Isak's brother.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gender in Pachinko

  In the novel, there are characters that seem to have defined gender roles, and there are some that blur the lines. For example, Kyunghee seems to portray a typical woman. She is extremely loyal to her husband, and respects him almost to a fault. She is also described as beautiful. Without the introduction of Sunja, she may have never had the courage to ask for anything. For example, she had the lovely idea of constructing a kimchi business. She is able to partially achieve this dream, but she would not have been able to do it without the encouragement from Sunja. She seems to be smart, but just enough to be a good wife. In a parallel sense, Yoseb is very ‘manly’. He has a strange addiction to tradition, and we see him slip into anger when he senses he is losing control. These are traits typically associated with a man. Then there are characters like Sunja. She is never described as pretty, in fact she is described as quite the opposite. She explores her sexuality with Hansu, but ...
Read more

Equiano Project

  The Equiano group’s project was extremely enlightening. I knew slave ships were bad, but not that bad. A 45% mortality rate is absolutely horrendous. I literally cannot imagine living in captivity so close to other people. It really makes you appreciate everything you have/ all the space you have to move around. It also seems counter-intuitive. When so many of the people you need to sell die, aren’t you losing money? It would make more sense to create habitable environments. In light of this, it seems like those who forced slaves to be in the ships were simply evil. It is also saddening, but not surprising to learn of the commonality of suicide. When faced when actual torture, it is not suprising that many people chose death. Even when healthy, the outlook of servitude was probably horrifying. What I found most interesting were the revolts. I had not thought about the idea that slaves could revolt, and it is encouraging that the enslaved people did not give up. Apparently around ...
Read more

Smasher's Character vs Blackwood's Character

  I do not think it is possible to talk about Smasher without talking about Blackwood. They are inverses of each other, and as such the story would not be complete without the two sides of the spectrum. Smasher represents the side of Will that wants the aboriginals gone. He has no mercy for them as humans, and he takes pleasure in their pain. Blackwood is the opposite. He sees the aboriginals as equals, supporting them and even learning their own language. Blackwood represents the side of Will that wants to live peacefully with them. What is shown in Will’s thoughts seems to represent the mind of the average colonizer. Neither here, nor there. However, Greenville uses the two opposing characters of Blackwood and Smasher to portray the extreme ends of the ideology. We can also see how Smasher’s perspective is more or less supported by the British government. When they send the letter with directions on how to handle the aboriginals, it states that peaceful coexistence must first be ...
Read more