In When My Name was Keoko Korea is at the mercy of the Japanese Empire between 1940 and 1945. In Korea, the Kim family is struggling to retain their culture, remain safe and survive. Their uncle is secretly printing anti-Japanese literature, Tae-yul, the older brother in the family, has joined the Japanese army as a kamikaze pilot and none of the main characters know who to trust in their community. As the war approaches its end, Tae-yul's kamikaze mission draws closer, the whereabouts of Sun-hee's uncle are discovered and the family struggles to stay together.
When examining the readability lexiles, I found the language to be in the adolescence stage because of long words, sentences with many clauses, detailed descriptions and length, which requires a high level of reading stamina. Cognitively, the narrative switches between Sun-hee and Tae-yul along with their Japanese names (Keoko and Nobuo). Sometimes they are describing the same event but using a different narrative. This could be very confusing for an adolescent reader. Socially, I would also place the text in the adolescent stage because students would most likely experience conflicting emotions, such as Tae-yul joining the kamikaze ranks against the wishes of his family. Also, the struggle of finding an identity as individuals and as a family was firmly present, specifically trying to Japanese when they are Koreans.
Looking at the characteristics of high quality literature, the main traits I see shown in the text are: setting and time allowing readers to gain an understanding about changes in society and the author developing multi-leveled themes. When examining the setting, 1940's Korea was a time of great oppression by the Japanese, one that forced the Kim family to change their traditions, lifestyle, communication and name. This still goes on in the world today sadly, but it is far less prevalent than it was in the first half of the 20th century. Many students, especially those in living in America may have a hard time understanding the struggles the Kim family goes through, being someone you're not and living in constant fear of being persecuted simply because of who you are.
The multi-leveled themes I saw were: family, culture and community. In the case of family, Tae-yul's selfless act of joining the Japanese army as a kamikaze fighter resulting in his family receiving better food rations was paying the ultimate price to help with his family's survival (he did not die, however). Culturally, the Korean flag that was hidden, the Sharon tree was preserved and a code of silence was kept about their Uncle's pro-Korean printing press. Within the community, everyone did their best to stick together and help out one another, whether it be teaching an elder the Japanese alphabet or informing neighbors of the real news about the state of the war.
The literary elements I saw featured were plot: person against society, setting as historical background and style. In person against society, the Kim family had to live in constant fear of their lives and safety. At one point in the book, one of Sun-hee's friends in playing with her and they stop by her uncle's printing store. He knows that Sun-hee's friend has a father who is a Japanese supporter and is quiet and eventually tells them to leave. In a free society, the uncle could print virtually anything, but in Japanese-occupied Korea, he must be very cautious not to draw attention to himself or his operation. This was a microcosm of the society the Kim family lives in; one where you must protect yourself if you are different from what the Japanese want.
The literary elements I saw featured were plot: person against society, setting as historical background and style. In person against society, the Kim family had to live in constant fear of their lives and safety. At one point in the book, one of Sun-hee's friends in playing with her and they stop by her uncle's printing store. He knows that Sun-hee's friend has a father who is a Japanese supporter and is quiet and eventually tells them to leave. In a free society, the uncle could print virtually anything, but in Japanese-occupied Korea, he must be very cautious not to draw attention to himself or his operation. This was a microcosm of the society the Kim family lives in; one where you must protect yourself if you are different from what the Japanese want.
In setting as a historical background, the cloud of WWII hangs heavily over Korea and the "news briefings" they receive from the Japanese occupation. These messages, while usually fabricated, are the main source of news the Koreans receive. This propaganda was often used by states that had the power during WWII. Also, Tae-yul joining the Japanese kamikaze fighters was a snapshot in history at the end of WWII. This horrible trend was almost exclusively tied to WWII and shows the dedication Tae-youl had to his family. Finally, the style of When My Name Was Keoko was very unique in that Tae-yul and Sun-hee both tell similar events from their own perspective. This was a little confusing to me, but I thought it gave the reader a fuller view of the events that occurred in the text.
One idea I had for a mini lesson would be to show students the Japanese internment camps in the U.S. during WWII. Although the Koreans were at the mercy of the Japanese empire, Japanese-Americans were at the mercy of America. Although it wasn't as ruthless as the Japanese occupation of Korea, the same principle of not giving people their freedoms was employed. A simple picture slideshow and general overview would prove educational and possibly bring the subject closer to home for a classroom in Minnesota.
I viewed the target audience as adolescent because of the length of the book, the multiple narratives (which I even got confused with) and serious subjects such as oppression and kamikaze missions. I think this book is well suited for bother male and female students as Sun-hee and Tae-yul's point of view is represented and the war is seen through the eyes of a female and male.
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