Genre
Fiction; Korean-American
Setting and Context
America in the 90's
Narrator and Point of View
Henry Park, in the first person.
Tone and Mood
The tone is of new beginnings and change; the mood is uncertain and new.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Henry Park is the protagonist; John Kwang is the antagonist.
Major Conflict
The major conflict of the novel occurs when Henry Park is tasked with infiltrating the political party of John Kwang.
Climax
The climax of the story is reached when Henry starts to struggle with his recent separation from his wife, Leila, as well as the death of Mitt, their son.
Foreshadowing
The successful infiltration into the political party is foreshadowed by Henry's training as a spy.
Understatement
The role that divided nations play in the modern world is understated throughout the novel.
Allusions
The story alludes to the struggle to fit into a society that is different from our own.
Imagery
N/A
Paradox
The fact that Henry is aware of the negative consequences his actions as a spy has is an example of paradox in the story.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between Henry's aim to fit into society and his desire to be included in Kwang's party ideology.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
The struggle of migrants moving to America is personified through Henry Park.
