The book ‘Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Boyhood’ written by Richard Kim is considered to be referred to the outstanding works of historical fiction; the work is aimed at disclosure of the most significant scenes from the early life of the protagonist experienced in Korea at the period of Japanese occupation. The work can be characterized as a historical treasure; it discovers the atmosphere of war events from 1932 to 1945, depicting the life of the population and comparing it to personal experience. Richard Kim managed to combine fiction with reality through the portrayal of a real-life and a mixture of personal considerations as to the fate of the Japanese Empire; the author focused on the description of family relationships during the period of war under the pressure of the Japanese colonial atmosphere. The paper will also be concentrated on the analysis of the title ‘Lost Names’, being closely connected with national interaction and war between Korean and Japanese systems.
‘Lost Names’ is considered to be perceived as a disclosure of personal family life at the period of war instability on basis of fiction and unrealistic magnificence. It is necessary to underline the fact that the story is related to the life of Koreans; nevertheless, the author managed to dedicate a considerable part to the fate of the family experiencing the Japanese occupation foundations. The author depicts the departure of the family from Korea to the territory of Manchuria, with the purpose to set a stable and happy life; the farther is to take a promising job being released from prison; it is necessary to underline the fact that relationships within the family were built on the basis of Korean and Japanese interactions. The author disclosed the father’s experience in prison, mentioning various details of this period throughout the whole story; he strived to demonstrate the behavior and treatment of the authority toward him, and underline misunderstanding of the justice system having no idea as to the father’s offense. The story depicts the inner resistance of the narrator’s family members to internal interactions and unjust treatment; thus, the author demonstrated the idea that the father managed to gain respect not only among Koreans but also among Japanese colonial officials. (Masalski, 1999)
The theme of family relationships under the pressure of war and colonial occupation has interacted with the concepts of humiliation, unjust treatment and national inequality. It is necessary to stress that the author depicted the attempt of the family to cope with various unwelcome colonial rules and experience different mobilization types to be followed in accordance with colonial authorities’ orders. It is necessary to stress that that aspect of family relationships and the nature of the book title are closely connected with each other. The author tried to demonstrate strict requirements caused by the Japanese colonial regime; all the Koreans were to adopt the names of Japanese nature. This episode is disclosed through the aspects of personal dignity and national shame; the family suffered oppression and national inequality leading to the official rename of Korean roots into Iwamoto. It is necessary to underline the idea that this scene is of special importance for the author.
‘Take a good look at all of this…
Remember it. Do not forget this day’ (Kim, 106)
The names of Korean nature were lost; lost through international conflict and war for power. The book gradually shows that from this very period the relations in the family were getting stronger and stronger. The reactions of family members to introduced Japanese rules were reflected in every aspect of their social life – at work, school and in relationships with each other. Kim stressed the difficulties of Koreans’ life in the atmosphere of pressure and national inequality. The family lost not only its name, it lost its roots, nation and motherland because Japanese rename and the environment of colonial rules and mobilization hurt and almost destructed their faith in a better future and national prosperity. (Masalski, 1999)
The narrator’s family was to represent officially the Japanese state by their behavior, social order and even names; it should be noted that the central idea followed by the author was dedicated to the reflection of ‘national psychotherapy session’. Kim tried to teach Koreans to live in harmony with other nations and be completely responsible for their actions and lives. The section, which is devoted to national liberation, appeared to be controversial in its perception. The expressions as to this event from the narrator’s point of view did not support the Koreans’ achievements; stating this, the author underlined his own vision of the situation underlining the fact that this victory just ‘dropped from the sky and can be perceived as a kind of present for the nation.
The concept of family relationships is built on father and son roots; it is necessary to stress that breakages and despair brought by war were substituted by hope for the new stronger generation. Korea’s sufferings and liberation were reflected through the life of the narrator; the author transferred the hope for a better future to the new younger generation.
‘I am only hoping that your generation will have enough will and strength to make sure the country will not make the same mistakes and repeat its shameful history.’ (Kim, 186)
The story appeared to be the reflection of the narrator’s family background through the elements of historical fiction. According to Edward Seidensticker, New York Times, ‘Lost Names is not a poem of hate, but a poem of love. It rises to moments of considerable dramatic power, but its finest moments, as when we see the cemeteries full of Koreans apologizing to their ancestors for having lost their names, are lyrical’ (Seidensticker, 2007)
The story appeared to be deep and thought-provoking; the combination of such serious themes as war, love, family, national values and state power, managed to create a strong piece of art. The realism of historical flow and the elements of fiction made the story to be involving and intricate; the author touched on a number of controversial issues concerning colonial rules and the reflection of the Japanese nation through representatives of Korea. The author managed to underline how easily Koreans were made to follow the regulations of Japanese authorities and in what way they were given their liberation. It is necessary to underline the fact that the story combined some ironic elements, underlining the narrator’s perception of his own nation as a weak and unresisting community.
The analysis of the book ‘Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Boyhood’ written by Richard Kim underlined the complexity of the story perception; the author made historical intricate scenes connecting them to human feelings and family relationships. It is necessary to stress that the critics argue a to the biographical style of this story, as most of the elements are referred to as unrealistic fiction reflection; despite this, the author successfully illustrated the path of Koreans to liberation through war and national oppression on the example of own family and interpersonal relationships in the society.
References
Kim, R. Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Boyhood. University of California Press. 1998.
Masalski, W. K. History as Literature, Literature as History. 1999. Web.
Seidensticker, E. Lost Names Analysis. New York Times. 2007. Web.