Kwang
Kwang is a very important part within our book. He friends Henry, while Henry is doing his creeping work on him.
Description of Kwang:
” A Korean man, of his age as part of vernacular. Not just a respectable grocer or drycleaner or doctor, but a larger public figure who was willing to speak and act outside the tight sphere of his family. he displayed an ambition I didn’t recognize, or more, one I hadn’t yet envisioned as something a Korean man would find significant or worthy engergy and devotion; he didn’t seem afraid like my mother and father, who were always wary of those who would try to shame or mistreat us…” (pg. 139)
- Shows Kwang is NOT the sterotypical Asian American
- is viewed as a well put together constantly looking sharp guy
- Pushed to go past the middle class worker
- slogan viewed as Kwang is like you, You will be an American
- Smart
- Asian American identity
- Kwang isn’t perfect:
- Yelling at his wife in the car, in “closed” place, gets out of the car, acts like nothing is wrong
- Has his kids still value the traditional of his heritage, yet are still Americanized
- buying the stripper, driving drunk, getting thrown in jail
- brought shame to the family, no more Kwang, goes back home
- Asian American History connection:
- Kwang is able to reach out to all the groups. Similar to Gary Lotch from Zia
