Sumik’o’s mystical records are explained in the near future. Her elegant demeanor derives off their particular experience in socialism and her degree, which give her intellectual borrowing and place her above the updates you to Taeyong keeps speculatively provided their own just before. Immediately after Sumik’o’s second trip to Taeyong’s office, Taeyong and you may Sumik’o end up in their particular flat, and you may she fully reveals to your regarding their unique previous life and her reasons for moving to Seoul. Afterwards, she went along to college, but she don’t give-up their own demand for socialism. Whenever their own father tried to wed their particular of that have a massive dowry, she fled house again and later became finding Korea and you may made a decision to relocate to Seoul to follow a new lifetime.
Her performance regarding domesticity within her flat-as an example, while making teas and you may toast otherwise removing their own male visitor’s finish-serves as a sign away from their own past life having a socialist people and of their particular awareness of bourgeois records off personal like and courtship you to derive from their center-classification family history
Since this novella was blogged on the post-KAPF stop months, the phrase “socialism” used to be censored as “XX” and subsequently replaced with “opium,” an elaborate choice of Ch’ae’s when Sumik’o informs their particular story. She states, “The anyone regarded XX once the opium, correct?” (Age 46). XX is commonly found in place of censored terms, but writers as well as willingly used it instead for terminology that might be applicants for censorship. 35 Of the replacement “socialism” having “opium,” the words treats the former just like the an addicting situation. At the same time, it claims a particular ambiguity about the idea of socialism. Such as for example, another statement of the Sumik’o produces an unclear meaning: “Ultimately, I was another opium addict. However, becoming bookish, I happened to be plus an opium nut who didn’t get opium” (E62). Sumik’o’s interest in socialism and her degree categorize their own as a good socalled the fresh new woman, which Taeyong discovers respectable. These characteristics may be the specific functions of one’s the fresh lady when you look at the Korea during the time. thirty six
She’s got a variety of other [Prevent Web page 270] qualities: a sexualized, breathtaking muscles; an interest in socialism; and a possible to own domesticity
Sumik’o’s socialist past is the reason for Taeyong’s respect on her, however, their unique ideological endeavor is also the source of the broke up. She passes through a successful changeover away from a socialist to help you good Japanese purple loyalist in the novella. Taeyong, on top of that, remains for the Seoul versus their own and you may will continue to limit his lifetime so you can his limited criteria. Their socialist early in the day can become an enthusiastic imperialist project whenever she moves so you can Seoul and then after that towards Chinese continent-Manchuria. Their particular proceed to Seoul scratches their own “conversion” (K. chonhyang, J. tenko) from socialism along with her merger towards Japanese extension project. At the end of the story, Sumik’o renders for Manchukuo by herself, unlike recognizing their particular totally new propose to go back to Tokyo-plans she originally and additionally ideal to help you Taeyong. The very last action from Sumik’o’s effective “conversion” contrasts towards “non-conversion” of Taeyong, exactly who she leaves behind. 37
Meanwhile, Taeyong’s condition just like the a colonized subject shines when he uses date that have Sumik’o. Eg, they converse for the Japanese, perhaps not Korean. The fresh argument between socialism and imperialism in addition to plays a part in Taeyong’s sense. The guy indicates that he had been an enthusiastic “opium fan” (i.age. socialist) before however, doesn’t stick to the addiction more. None does the guy maintain imperialist ideology. He demonstrates to you one to their unsupportive ideas on the japan Empire made him end creating novels. But mysteriously, during the a long monologue you to definitely criticizes the condition of modern-day people, the guy suggests that the guy completely helps japan “samurai spirit” (that’s, the costs of one’s Japanese armed forces), that he claims is dependant on organization “principle” (E87). Which detail provides tend to started see since a verification getting Ch’ae Mansik’s collaborationist qualities. Yet not, regarding the tale, japan samurai spirit was shown among the factors why Taeyong never establish books any further. Japan “principle” try a reputable suggestion in addition to something he try not to totally learn, making him surrender the written text out of books [End Webpage 271] completely out of regard for it. Taeyong and additionally condemns almost every other modern-day writers for composing average works for currency by yourself. He insinuates that these works is collaborationist blog. Ch’ae, once the author, would be protecting themselves to own creating it most portion having economic grounds, a relationship facts you to aids colonial ideologies.