Korean literature
Develop a thesis statement.
1. In what ways does Pak Wan-s? make the form of her novel mirror the traumatic experiences and
ways of remembering of her narrator? How does trauma affect the representation of war memories?
What kinds of literary or poetic imagery does Pak use to express Kyong-a?s traumatized psyche?
2. Discuss the history of the Korean War, including how it came about, its major actors, and the
overall political and social effects. How do the political circumstances and events of the war
appear within the plot and themes of The Naked Tree? For example, how does the novel represent U.S.
occupation, the North Korean invasion, national division, refugees, etc.? Why do you think the
novel avoids any detailed discussion of the war as a political or ideological conflict?
3. Discuss The Naked Tree as a peculiar kind of coming-of-age story. How does the novel represent
youth, desire, and learning from experience? What is peculiar about the novel as a coming-of-age
story?
Make at least three direct citations must in
Pak Wan-s?, The Naked Tree.
Do not use other materials.