Two stories from "Dubliners" : "Araby" and "Eveline"

"Araby"

 At first glance, James Joyce’s “Araby” might appear the short story of a boy’s love and disappointment. After all, when the boy says that his body is like a harp and Mangan’s sister’s words and gestures are like fingers running upon the wires, we can easily see his enthusiastic love toward her while we can see his frustration when he sees himself as a creature driven and derided by vanity. However, on the other hand, his intense wordings implicate that the motivation of frustration is not just derived from the emotion of love. Therefore, it is perhaps more accurate to assume that “Araby” is a boy’s observation of paralysis in society, Dublin, and the gap between reality and ideals rather than a diary about his love story. In this sense, the repeated usage of “blind” in the description of North Richmond Street or O’Donovan Rossa, a ballad about the troubles in the boy’s native land, demonstrate the “paralysis” in Dublin. Also, “an Eastern enchantment” shows ideals of a boy while “the gallery that the light was out” and “completely dark” symbolize the reality, paralysis, in shelter, Araby. Finally, we can interpret the last sentence of the short story as the expression of a pain from the epiphany that he cannot escape from this paralysis.

 "Eveline"

 People easily evaluate James Joyce’s “Eveline” as the short story about the patriarch society and repression of women. Indeed, Eveline, the main protagonist, sometimes felt herself in danger of her father’s violence while his father restrains her in various ways like occupying wage. Also, the will of her mother makes Eveline sacrifice for family, a traditional role of women, and interrupts Eveline’s new life. It is doubtful, however, that Eveline’s abandonment of her future is not related to “paralysis,” which is the main theme of “Dubliners.” Then, the possible interpretation of the short story will be the description of “paralysis” of bravery. Actually, the examples of this kind of “paralysis” are easily found throughout the story. For example, her thought about her father, “he would miss her, sometimes he could be very nice” suggests that she is afraid of breaking traditional manner. Also, Eveline who “sets her white face to him, passive, like a helpless animal” demonstrates the lethargy, or the paralysis of bravery. More interesting point is that young character, Eveline, suffers this paralysis of bravery, which symbolizes the skeptical view about the courage of younger generations in Ireland.

Read More

"The student" Anton Chekhov

 “The student” by Anton Chekhov is a short story which describes the protagonist’s realization about history and human nature. Ivan Velikopolsky, the son of sacristan, encounters two widows near a camp fire. Then, he tells the story of Apostle Peter to them. The widows respond to the story unexpectedly emotionally and intensely; this respond allows Ivan to find the connection between past and present and the new perspective of human life.

 This short but strong story leaves numerous interesting features. First of the features is the insight about human’s nature. Even though the story describes the setting realistically, it does not explicitly state the actual historical setting. The readers just can assume it by the era of Anton Chekhov. However, rather than focusing on historical context, the author explores the human nature. By observing the responds to the life of Saint Peter, Ivan finds the connection between the biblical story 1900 years ago and the current reality and the fact that there is a no big difference between the great saint and ordinary widows. Ivan’s observation of a human’s fundamental nature such as weakness and anguish makes an interesting point that all people are basically similar.

 Furthermore, “the student” makes readers interested by revealing the anxiety and despair of Russian People at that time. There is no specific mention about the era but we can find some clues such as the time of Ivan the Terrible and Peter and the era of Anton Chekhov. Anyway we can conclude that the historical setting of the story is around late 19^th century to early 20^th century which was full of chaos, social injustice and revolutions. The phrases like ‘the lapse of a thousand years would make life no better’ show deep despair and defeatism about the future of Russia. However, not only this threatening ambience but also the bright hopes about the future by final realization make the short story much more interesting.

 Unfortunately, we also can find the weak point in the story which makes the story not interesting. The process of realization is too fast. The lesson of the story is good, and the biblical analogy is good but the narration is so fast that it even seems awkward. The link between the event and the realization is not refined. Moreover, the lesson of the story is too explicit. The protagonist explicitly states the lesson and this makes me feel that he forces us to accept the lesson. Maybe this is the limitation of a short story because its length is too short to plot sufficiently.

 Overall, I felt “the student” was a quite great work. The focus on the fundamental human nature and the scent of anxiety and despair in 19^th century Russia make the story much more rich despite its short length. However, the abruptly rapid realization of the protagonist is still too artificial and it hampers the best quality of the work. 

Read More

Minjok essay

 ‘Minjok’, this word is very controversial word in today’s Korean society. Some people relate this word

with ultranationalism and exclusiveness and others interpret this word as identity. However, looking at the history of ‘Minjok’, it is shorter than the history of telephone in Korea. In the era of Japanese occupation, Japan tried to assimilate Koreans into their empire as ‘imperial subject’ around 1920s. Therefore, to prevent complete assimilation to Japan, Korea needed ‘something’ which can serve a role of shield from Japanese cultural and mental invasion. In this situation, scholars like Shin chae-ho invented the concept of the notion of a unitary nation with Korean history and myths like Dangun joseon. This movement is called the theory of ethnic history (MinjokSaHak.) This movement made the concept of Minjok first and contributed to the preservation of Korean identity from Japanese imperial ambition. After independence, president Park Chung-hee took this concept, Minjok, as a motivation of economical development. Therefore, under the name of Minjok and in the closed and restrictive situation, Koreans worked very hard even sometimes practiced patience of human right violation. As a result of labor for the sake of ‘Minjok,’ Republic of Korea becomes one of the richest countries in the world. Looking at the results, ‘Minjok’ contributed to development of Korea.

 Above is about the history of the concept of ‘Minjok.’ However, I live in the present. The concept of ‘Minjok’ still has a lot of impact on my generation as the past did. For example, there is no evidence that I had my first-birthday party. First of all, I can’t remember that I had my first-birthday party. Second, there is no picture left because someone stole the camera which saved all my pictures of first-birthday party. Finally, there is no ring for the first-birthday party. In Korea, people give first-birthday ring to celebrate the baby. However, I don’t have any first-birthday rings. Actually, many cousins and parents’ friends gave me first-birthday rings. However, in 1998, when I was two years old, my parents donated all my first-birthday rings to the nation which had enormous debt. One day, I complained mom why she donated the rings and asked if she ever regretted it. She said she was always sorry for me but she has never regretted her donation. This is because she donated it for the nation and ‘Minjok.’ Like this, even my generation has been influenced by the concept of ‘Minjok’ and some influences are positive and others are not. (In fact, the donation of my first- birthday rings is negative for me.)    

 ‘Minjok’ has a lot of beneficial impacts on Korea. ‘Minjok’ could give economical benefits to Korea. The

example is ‘gold gathering campaign.’ On January 23^rd, 1997, Hanbo group bankrupted. Starting with the bankruptcy of Hanbo, a lot of Korean companies bankrupted. As a result, the Republic of Korea fell into debt from IMF. As the conditions of loan, IMF demanded some abandonment of economical sovereignty of government and the government followed. To regain the economical sovereignty, citizens conduct ‘gold gathering campaign.’ At that time, the debt of the Republic of Korea was around 30billion dollars. Then, citizens donated almost 227 tons of gold. At economical sight, participating in this campaign is very unreasonable behavior. Like my first-birthday rings, there isn’t any kind of rewards for the donation. However, because of the only reason that they are the members of ‘Minjok’, they donated voluntarily. This campaign shocked all around the world. Due to export of gold by Korea, the international price of Gold decreases 15%. The campaign like this is impossible for other countries such as Greece, Spain. Only Korea could do this because there is strong belief in ‘Minjok’ in Korea.

Also, Minjok can make the image of a country better. For example, in 2002 world cup, the world was surprised by Korea’s group cheer which can’t been seen in other countries. Koreans cheered like that because they are members of Minjok. This enthusiastic cheer was embedded in people’s heart around the world. To illustrate, when KMLA students visited one restaurant in Switzerland, the clerk shouted ‘Dae~ Han Min Guk!’ He thinks Korea as very enthusiastic countries. This is a kind of National brand which could have good impact on the nation.

Also, the concept of ‘Minjok’ can help unification of South and North Korea. One of the main reasons of unification is ‘Minjok.’ People of South Korea and North Korea are the same ‘Minjok,’ so Korean peninsula should be unified. This is the reason why many South Koreans support unification in Korean peninsula in spite of enormous economical burden by unification. In other words, the concept of ‘Minjok’ has key of unstable political and military situation in the East Asia.

 However, the concept of ‘minjok’ also has negative impact on the country. The main reason of problems is

the 100 thousandth immigrant 

unchanged meaning of ‘Minjok.’ As the world changes, the meaning of Minjok needs to be changed. The number of foreigners who live in Korea is already over 1million and the number of immigrants is over 100 thousands. The basic concept of ‘Minjok’ in Korea is based on lineage, ‘Danil Minjok.’ Therefore, the Korean who don’t look like native Korean such as immigrant is not fit for the past standard of ‘Minjok.’ Then, this confliction between the new social trend(globalization) and the old concept of ‘Minjok’ causes some side effects like human right violation.

 To look at more deeply, I classify the three responses by three different countries related with Minjok. First one is response to western countries and their cultures. In the report from Shin Gi-Wook who is the professor of Stanford, he points out that Korea’s nationalism is contradictory. Many companies like Samsung or LG consider good English test score as an important criterion of hiring new employees. Also, a lot of Korean students study abroad to study English and enjoy western culture like Pop. However, there are still some evidences Koreans still have nationalism such as cheer in World Cup. It seems they coexist in Korea. However, they just partly coexist. Koreans are only positive to globalization by Wealthy countries – usually western countries like USA, France or UK-. English is the language of UK and United States, and communication devices are usually made from western countries and users are also from western countries. In this case, it seems western cultures and people have higher position than Korean ‘Minjok.’ For example, some unqualified white people teach English in academies for the reason that they are from western countries. Furthermore, a lot of Korean treat them well and they get a lot of payment. It is similar with Chosun’s attitude to Myung dynasty. In this case, the national pride is defamed. We can interpret it as a phenomenon of cultural toadyism. It is right to respect foreigners but we don’t have to worship them.

 Second one is response to poor countries especially southeastern countries. Foreign laborers are usually from southeastern countries. In this case, we can find exclusiveness of ‘Minjok.’ It is true that Koreans also have little discrimination and exclusiveness to western people. However, it is also true that exclusiveness to southeastern countries is more severe than to western people. According to the research, 41% of immigrants-especially Asians- experience discrimination from native Koreans. In reality, many native Koreans including me feel repulsion when a Southeastern Asian says he is Korean. It is also similar with Chosun’s attitude to other countries. I think this is a huge problem because during 400~500 years, there’s no improvement of it. Just the object has changed.

the situation of descendants of fighters f
or the national independence

the situation of descendant of
pro-Japanese

 The last one is response to Japan. I’m sure that over 90% of Koreans hate Japan. It is natural because the concept of minjok was created to be against to imperialism of Japan and the concept descended. Also, many Japanese also have aggressive attitude to Korea. Severe antipathy would be a problem, but antipathy is quite natural. The problem that I want to point out from this response is an ironic patriotic spirit. A lot of Koreans become angry when they watch the cruel torture that Japanese police officer did to fighters for the national independence. However, a lot of Koreans don’t know well about those great fighters. Many of them confuse An joong-geun and Yoon bong-gil. Furthermore, the Korean government doesn’t treat the descendants of the fighters well. Except the descendants of Kim Gu, most of family and descendants emigrate to other countries or live poorly in Korea. Korean government gave badge for the contribution to independence and a little subsidy-but only sons of fighters could get subsidy, not after grandsons-. In contrast a lot of descendants of pro-Japanese group live well. In the era of Japanese occupation, they had earned a lot of benefits and after independence, Korean government didn’t punish them strictly. Therefore, a lot of politicians or business men are the descendants of pro-Japanese group. This is contradiction. At least, we should reward the descendants of the fighters for independence. It is irony that Koreans have pride for Minjok when Koreans soccer teams play well in the world cup but not interested in the real patriots and martyr for the country. 

The reality of Korean history education

 I wrote a lot of things about Minjok. I show the history, benefits, disadvantage of the concept of Minjok. It is obvious that the concept of Minjok have a positive impact on Korea. If we fix some side effects of Minjok, to keep the concept of Minjok will be beneficial for Korea’s future. I want to suggest some changes in Minjok for the better and brighter future of Korea. I think Minjok needs wider range of meaning. As I mentioned before, the concept of minjok based on lineage has limitation in the era of globalization. Minjok needs to embrace Koreans who don’t share blood. Also, if we really have pride of Minjok, we should know more about culture and history of Korea. Then, don’t forget about why we can stand on this land. If ‘Minjok’ changes that way, the future of Korea will be brighter.

Read More

Short essay about "London 1802" by William wordsworth

Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour:

England hath need of thee: she is a fen

Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen,

Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,

Have forfeited their ancient English dower

Of inward happiness. We are selfish men;

Oh! raise us up, return to us again;

And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.

Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart:

Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:

Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free,

So didst thou travel on life's common way,

In cheerful godliness; and yet the heart

The lowliest duties on herself did lay.

 In London 1802 by william wordsworth, the speaker is missing Milton who seems to be the symbol of glorious day of England. According to this poem, the reality of English society is like stagnant water. 

 We can find some symbols, metaphor, especially about the relationship between humans, civilization and nature. It was published in 1807 and it was the age of industrial revolution. Civilization developed unbelievable speed. Productivity and technology drastically improved. However, human's mental, in other words, mental civilization didn't develop rapidly compare to development of material civilization. British people earned a lot of gold, but not all British people could get gold. England was like an adolescent boy  whose body had grown but thought is not. In this sense, I think stagnant water symbolizes former mental civilization which was not appropriate for that age. Then, altar, sword, and pen each symbolizes religion, chivalry, intelligence and they were inappropriate for new age.

 Then, the speaker thinks Milton could help humans. To review the writer's other poets, he often looks at the relationship between human and nature. In this poem, he compares Milton to nature like a star or the sea. It shows nature can heal humans like Milton. The image of pure nature, which is contrary to the age of industrial revolution. However, it is far from human like a star. Industries make nature like a star. Industrial revolution removes human's spiritual civilization and interrupts humans from healing. The writer emphasize English society by relationship between humans, civilization and nature.

 Even though this essay was written in 19th century. I think the writer's idea is still available in today's materialism society. Technology and science is still developing much fast than human's thought like philosophy, morality. 

[출처] London, 1802 - William Wrodsworth|작성

 In London 1802 by william wordsworth, the speaker is missing Milton because problematic England society needs him.

It was published in 1807 and it was the age of industrial revolution. I think stagnant water symbolizes wastewater of factories. Then, altar, sword, and pen each symbolizes religion, chivalry, intelligence and they are parts of civilization, especially spiritual civilization. Industries took human's civilization away because humans are selfish.

Then, the speaker thinks Milton could help humans. To review the writer's other poets, he often looks at the relationship between human and nature. In this poem, he compares Milton to nature like a star or the sea. It shows nature can heal humans like Milton. However, it is far from human like a star. Industries make nature like a star. Industrial revolution removes human's spiritual civilization and interrupts humans from healing. The writer emphasize English society by relationship between humans, civilization and nature.

I think the writer's idea is still available in today's materialism society.

자 상상

Read More

Reading journal from new ideas from dead economists

 Maybe, humans' behaviors and mental states are one of the most unpredictable things in the world like Japan's earthquakes. Economics is the subject that predicts human's behaviors and choices and makes the theory useful in society. But, human's choice is so unpredictable that usual economists can't give sure answer. So, some people scorn economists always blow hot and cold. However, the great economists are different. They made sure their own answers and apply it in society. They contributed to the progress of society.

 There are many great economists such as Alfred Marshall who invented supply-demand curve, Marx who is the start of the biggest experiment in human's history, Milton Friedman who founded the currency principle and etc. However, two great economists are most impressive to me, Adam Smith and Kenyes.

 First, Adam smith, who is called the father of economics, is the most famous economists. Economics that we can call economics started from his book, “ the wealth of nations.” Adam Smith lived in the age of revolution that scientists tried to escape from Church’s rules. Rather than following Bible, they try to explain natural events with rational explanations. Adam Smith was influenced by it and he focused on people.

 Many people know him as the economist, but he was the philosopher. He considered “The theory of Moral Sentiments.” which contains Smith’s observation of the ethical behavior as the greatest book of his. He searched for the origin of moral approval and disapproval. He contrived the concept of the imaginary observer’s advice which can control human’s behavior. It is related with Freud’s concept of “super-ego.” Anyway, Adam Smith emphasize this feeling, sympathy in the entire book. Therefore he can be free from the critic’s critique that economists ignore human’s noble side.

 He was influenced by many people. Skepticism of David Hume, who Adam smith really admired, Francis Hutcheson’s declarations and Physiocrats’ ideas have an impact on Adam Smith. Adam Smith met physiocrats during the time of the tutor of the son of the Duke of Buccleuch. Physiocrats argued wealth comes from production not the amount of own gold and only agriculture can produce wealth. Adam Smith agree with the method of measuring nation’s wealth but disagree with the origin of wealth.

 Finally, in March 1776, econimics started, “the wealth of nations” was published. The purpose of this book is uncovering the method to achieve wealth. Adam Smith found a “ desire of bettering our condition” and wrote in the book. According to the book, because of this desire or the self- interest, people work and contribute to the progress of the society unintentionally. He argued that “the invisible hand” control the market harmoniously. The price decided by demand and it bring profits to both producers and consumers. Because of the free market is complete, government’s role is just national defense or public security. This theory is the main contents of “the wealth of nations” and the base of the classical economics.

 Not only he explained how the invisible hand control the market, but also he suggested the method to increase the wealth of nations. It is division of labor. Adam Smith proclaimed three advantages of division of labor. First, each worker could be more adroit. Second, workers could save their time. Third, specialized worker would invent machinery that makes work more convenient. He said it leads progress in productivity and augmenting nation’s wealth. He also warned division of labor differentiate the wage of workers. However, he justified it by giving some grounds like difference in work environment or training.

 Adam Smith asserted division of labor should be used in not only factories, but also towns and countries. Between countries, there would be a difference in price of the certain goods. If one country can produce the goods more cheaper, it has an absolute advantage. Adam Smith claimed countries should trade according to absolute advantages.

 Adam Smith criticized the theory of infant industry protection. According to him, this policy just make the industries dextrous at crying like babies to appetite themselves. It would lose competitiveness of the industry which lead the loss of the wealth of nation. And his critique and claim is still available today. Ronald Reagon’s government followed Adam Smith’s theory and succeed. This example show that how Adam Smith is a great economists.

 The second economist is Keynes, who is the most influential economist in 20th centuries. Keynesians who strongly follow Kenyes’ idea believe to basic proposition. One is the fact that the private economy can’t accomplish full employment, the other is the role of government to spur the economy actively.

 Kenyes was born in a Puritanical Victorian home. In Eton school, he got numerous mathematics award and entered into Cambridge. In Cambridge, he joined in the Apostles and enjoyed intellectual exchange. He was very smart, but he didn’t only floating in Academy. He also enjoyed many cultural activities like Opera or Musical. He first studied economics by reading Marshall’s Principles of Econimics. Later, he studied Economics by Marshall for 8 weeks. At the first time, Kenyes also followed classical or Marshall’s idea but after studying more and more, he change his economical sight.

 Kenyes is famous for the savior of the great depression. Great depression is one of the worst period in 20th centuries. The rate of unemployment augmented from 3% to 25% and national incomes became the half than before. Furthermore, all the people were psychological daunted. Many economists analyzed causes of the great depression. Most reasonable reason is the series of absurd actions. At the end of the 1920s, investment opportunities dried up and people started to deposit and repay loans. Then nations started protectionism, and FRB execute tighter policy absurdly. These factors lead the great depression.

 Kenyes criticized old men of treasury. They believe Say’s law which claims that production give enough incomes to buy all goods to consumers so there are no gluts. As a result, market would recover soon even though there’s some recessions. Because old officials of treasury believed Say’s law strongly, they didn’t do anything to resolve the depression. Kenyes criticized it and classical’s economist’s proposition. First classicists said that increasing saving means decreasing interest rate and it leads investment. Kenyes pointed out saving is directly related with investment because there are too many things affect investor’s decision. Second, according to classicists, recession causes decreasing wages of workers, so companies would reemploy them. However, Kenyes criticized it with difference between real wages and nominal wages.

 Not only he criticized previous economists and incapable officials, but also he suggested the solution of the great depression. Kenyes invented the concept of the marginal propensity to consume(MPC), marginal propensity to save(MPS), and multiplier. Multiplier is the key to boost economy. 100$ can value 300$ . Multiplier is the concept that once consumption lead more and more consumption. Then, Keynes said saving interrupt the multiplier. Therefore, someone should spur the consumption not saving and Kenyes pointed the government. He claimed government’s vital roles in market. It should spur consumption by many methods like huge public engineering works. He advised it to Roosevelt and Roosevelt started New deal policy and it succeeded.

 Kenyes’ theory had been useful until 1960s. However, Since 1970s, Keynes’ idea didn’t work well. Many people think Keynes’ theory is just old. But, still Keynes’ theory is reasonable because he also predicted future will be so complex that we can not predict it.

Read More

ChalDduck pie

vivid description of ChalDduck pie

I store ChalDduck pie in my closet. This delicious pie is wrapped in plastic package which is decorated with picture of a purple flower and a butterfly. The wrapping makes a rustling sound. I can see brown material when I rip off the wrapping.

 This brown material is round. The front surface is uneven and the back surface is even but has irregular shape. To observe in detail, I can find slight cracks on the surface. ChalDduck pie also smells really good. I can smell sweet chocolate's smell. This smell makes me eat ChalDduck pie so I grab it. When I grab it, I feel the chocolate surface of pie is as smooth as a lens cloth. The taste of ChalDduck pie is sweet. I think the pie is sweeter than Winnie the Pooh's honey. However, the pie is not soft. When I bite it, I feel like I eat some jelly but the pie is harder than jelly. Moreover, inside the pie, there is another layer of chocolate and it is still sweet!

In conclusion, the most important fact would be ChalDduck pie is really delicious.

Read More

Monthly TOEFL essay #2: The future of art

“I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones.” This is the famous quotes from John Cage. This quote reflects the spirit of contemporary art like Dadaism, Fluxus, abstract art, etc. They have been tried to destroy the paradigm of previous art. Therefore, they create new world of art and contemporary art becomes the representative art of 20th century. However, I assume this innovative paradigm would be changed in 21st century as John Cage's desire. The artists will make pieces which are very different from contemporary art.

The first reason why I strongly believe the change of art is related with characteristic of contemporary art. People who really enjoy the works of Dadaism or Fluxus are usually erudite people, especially in the field of art. They know the background of the art piece such as the movement which the artist belongs to or the external and internal context of the art piece. They may have ever read Gombrich's 'the story of art' at least one time. However, most of people have never studied about art. Therefore, they would just assess the work with only the work. Of course, the work is great itself but it's difficult to enjoy the contemporary art without the knowledge about it. It reflects social hierarchy. This hierarchy will spur the artists to be against with it.

In addition to educational status, economical status is reflected in the contemporary work. Jackson Pollock's 'No.5' was sold in 140million dollars. I don't try to condemn the work but this work was used as a method to show off the owner's wealth. This trend has been since the art was born. The contemporary artists who have tried to break a paradigm fail to break the trend. However, I think the artists of 21th century would change the trend. This irrationality of contemporary art and good environment like wider territory of democracy, equal society in the internet would inspire them. 21st century's artist will make the movement of art which is free from educational and economical hierarchy.

Another reason is related with Hegel's dialectic. To make a brief explanation of Hegel's dialectic, the basic principle is thesis-antithesis-synthesis. Thesis is an intellectual proposition, antithesis is the negation of thesis, and synthesis is solution of conflicts between thesis and antithesis by reconciling them. Comtemporary art is the thesis. Because art is from human's idea, the history of art has followed dialectic. Therefore, in 21st century, to follow the dialectic, antithesis and synthesis will appear and the paradigm will be changed.

In conclusion, the future is unknown before it becomes the present. However, the prediction of future reflects the present's reality and hope. After study about contemporary art, I predict the future of art with some evidences. If art changes to what I predict, many people will be able to enjoy various art. 

Read More