기본 콘텐츠로 건너뛰기

Caring for Plants, By Hye-young Pyun (2017)

Caring for Plants, By Hye-young Pyun (2017)

Rating: 9/10


This was the first Korean literature to read in class and I could clearly notice the difference in the degree of understanding compared to other foreign literature we read so far. Since I own knowledge about the cultural background of the setting, I was allowed to relate to each character with much depth. The hospital where Oghi was situated, the figure of the pastor, and the, relationship between the mother-in-law and her son-in-law I have seen those cultural elements in my actual life experience and that meant I could imagine how this story is happening not only through words but by real imagery.  Thus, this story taught me the importance of being a good reader. By having knowledge of the cultural and historical background of the story, we are given the opportunity to relate to the author's intention.


댓글

이 블로그의 인기 게시물

James Joyce vs Anton Chekhov

James Joyce vs Anton Chekhov First, I would like to define the characteristics of each author, starting with James Joyce. Based on Joyce's stories I've read so far, I felt that his stories are very concise and efficient. And he also manages well to use the advantage of writing a short story and maximize it. Instead, Chekhov focuses on the change of the character's mindset which is also emphasized by the same daily routine that is described differently from each perspective, before the change, during the change, and after the change. Both authors end the story with an open conclusion, but I found Chekhov's conclusion more intriguing to read. In the story <The Lady with the Dog>, Chekhov doesn't imply any ethical messages or moral lessons in his conclusion. For example, writers like Tolstoy would end the conclusion of wrongdoers with punishment, but in this story, Gurov and Anna don't pay anything for committing adultery, leaving the readers to decide. Overa...

The Tower, By Marghanita Laski (1955)

The Tower, By Marghanita Laski (1955) Rating: 9/10 This was probably the only story that I read multiple times with much depth. In the case of other stories, I usually stick to the analysis that the majority of people make about the story. But for <The Tower>, through reading it over and over, I think I came up with my own analysis. As I mentioned in my team presentation, I thought the major question was"Why did the author end with such a hopeless conclusion, even though this is a feminist story?". From the perspective of the hero's journey, "Why no reward and the elixir?". It might be interpreted that the hero has failed, that her challenge was meaningless. Was that what Laski wanted the readers to take from her story? I believe not. Finding the hidden message that when we gather help and cooperate we'll be able to see the sunset, instead of misunderstanding that the sunset doesn't exist. This is the key interpretation that I thought of, and throu...

Bullet In The Brain, By Tobias Wolff (1995)

Bullet In The Brain, By Tobias Wolff (1995) Rating: 9/10 I think I personally enjoy short stories that don't follow any chronological order or series of events. Just like The Swimmer, this story was unique in its own order of sorting out events. This story is really 'short', not complicated, direct, and clear. A bit weird as we see Anders just die saying "They is... They is", but I didn't find it uncomfortable. It's quite funny because I rated The Five-Forty-Eight with a very low score because I couldn't find any message from the ending. Well even though Bullet In The Brain ends doesn't like a normal ending, I recognized the build-ups before the conclusion. Anders starts off by getting shot and for that slight moment, when his whole life and events that he remembers pass by, Unlike other main characters from recent stories we've read, I found Anders quite humorous and even felt sad with the fact that he died. Overall, the story was very light b...