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Book 1, Chapter 8
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Pachinko, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Survival and Family
Imperialism, Resistance, and Compromise
Identity, Blood, and Contamination
Love, Motherhood, and Women’s Choices
Summary
Analysis
That night, Sunja lies awake thinking about her baby and about Hansu, who has left Busan. She knows that if only she’d agreed to be Hansu’s mistress, she wouldn’t be missing him now. Yet she also thinks of Hoonie’s devoted love for her and Yangjin, and she can’t imagine sharing a man she loves with another woman. Despite all this, she can’t stop herself from missing Hansu.
Hoonie’s faithfulness makes him the ideal husband and father in Sunja’s mind, and Sunja knows she can’t settle for what Hansu would provide her in contrast. Yet Hansu was her first love, and she can’t ignore his impact on her, or the reality of what she’s giving up by refusing his offer.
Themes
The next morning, a stunned and grateful Yangjin gives Isak permission to propose to Sunja. When she informs Sunja of Isak’s intentions, Sunja is puzzled by his motivations, but immediately grasps this as a lifeline for herself, her mother, and her baby. The next day Isak and Sunja take a walk together, and on the Yeongdo ferry, Isak asks her what she thinks of his offer. Sunja expresses her gratitude. When Isak asks her if she thinks she can come to love God, Sunja agrees.
Sunja doesn’t understand Isak’s desire to marry her, but she doesn’t have to deliberate long about his offer; she knows he is saving her and her mother from shame, and there will be no better future for her and her baby. Isak hopes that Sunja will come to share his faith, and Sunja agrees to try, even though she has little comprehension of it at this point.
Themes
Isak takes Sunja to a Japanese noodle restaurant, and they talk about their future life in Osaka. Isak asks Sunja if she thinks she can love him, and if she can try to forget Hansu. Sunja tells him she will do her best to be a good wife.
Sunja is already beginning to care for Isak and desires to be faithful to him, but she knows it won’t be easy to forget Hansu. Isak seems to be realistic about this, too.
Themes
