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This Burns My Heart


An epic love story set in the intriguing landscape of postwar South Korea.
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What could Soo-Ja have done differently?

Created: 04/08/12

Replies: 6

Posted Apr. 08, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert

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What could Soo-Ja have done differently?

When Hana tells Soo-Ja she should have done something about her unhappiness, Soo-Ja realizes, "She had never lived for herself, and in that, she found her greatest mistake and her greatest glory. Her selflessness had not been entirely chosen, but rather forced out of her, by her family" (p. 332), and then tells Hana that it is indeed her own fault. What could Soo-Ja have done differently?


Posted Apr. 10, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lisag

Join Date: 01/12/12

Posts: 298

RE: What could Soo-Ja have done differently?

When Soo-ja's father seemed to relent re: her decision to move to Seoul and study to become a diplomat, why didn't she go? Was there a real reason she didn't? If so, what?


Posted Apr. 11, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebajane

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 320

RE: What could Soo-Ja have done differently?

Its easy to say she should have done something different looking in from the outside. I think she tried to make the right decision even though she really wanted to be a diplomat and Min wasn't exactly honest with her. She just forgot to follow her heart


Posted Apr. 11, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lisag

Join Date: 01/12/12

Posts: 298

RE: What could Soo-Ja have done differently?

Soo-Ja's mother suggested if she married Min - or another man who would let her run the household - it would be more respectable to move to Seoul and she could go to work. And if things had worked out another way Hana would probably never have been born. Soo-Ja would likely have put off having children, if Min had turned out to be the man she thought he was.

I think this is a case of the kind of reasoning we all have, thinking things would be perfect if only... Fill in the blank with whatever applies to your situation. But when you change one thing in life, you change everything.


Posted Apr. 11, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
peg

Join Date: 08/11/11

Posts: 29

RE: What could Soo-Ja have done differently?

She could have not married Min; even though not a virgin I think Yul would have married her. Cultural traditions were not as strong for him. I would hope her life could have been more positive if she had been more forthcoming.


Posted Apr. 12, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Navy Mom

Join Date: 04/12/12

Posts: 294

RE: What could Soo-Ja have done differently?

Soo-ja was an honorable girl restricted by the culture she grew up it, the culture was changing as Soo-ja was, but not fast enough for her to be able to follow her own heart. I don't think she could have done anything differently, but many times I wanted her to just tell Min off. Oh, and that daughter of hers!


Posted Apr. 16, 2012 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
lisag

Join Date: 01/12/12

Posts: 298

RE: What could Soo-Ja have done differently?

I agree, Yul would probably have married her even though she wasn't a virgin. He was quite progressive in his ideas. I doubt that would have bothered him.


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