Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Boyhood

Consider the ways in which Kim’s text explores the theme Han and the Trap of Self-Pity. To what extent is pity or self-pity a trap for Kim’s family and other Koreans? Which of the individuals in the text succumb to Han? Which of the individuals overcome it? How does this theme link with the concept of generational divide?

Teaching Suggestion: Readers might review their responses to the Personal Connection Prompt in preparation for this question. Kim uses the theme of Han and the Trap of Self-Pity to compare the different generational responses to colonization and occupation. While generational differences among Kim’s grandfather, Kim’s father, and himself are alluded to throughout the text, the final conversation between Kim and his father is most indicative of how Han shaped prior generations’ responses to colonization: As the dynamic political regimes in Korea changed, prior generations were focused on survival as opposed to challenging the governments. In this vein, the author points to the fact that Han and the Trap of Self-Pity kept these prior generations in survival mode. Students might work in pairs to brainstorm ideas and find evidence in the text for each question in the prompt, then compose an independent response individually.