In this intriguing novel, speech and language give the impression of being the more significant issues. Language is crucial, it is constantly illustrated throughout the novel. The rest of the world has made up their mind about what it truly means to be a native speaker. However, Chang Rae Lee has other ideas. With that said; being a native speaker doesn’t just mean the language you speak, but rather who you are as a person.
Henry, the narrator, grew up speaking fluent English; he also spoke some Korean. Henry’s parents moved from Korea making him a Korean-American. Henry’s Wife, Leila, worked as speech therapist for children. Most of the children that Leila worked with had learning disabilities. “All day she helped these children manipulate …show more content…
Many of the traits that Henry exercises is also seen in his father, mainly his emotional stature. Leila once told Henry that his father was just a more brutal version of him. In talking about his father Henry says: “He was the definition of thick skin. For most of my youth I wasn’t sure that he had the capacity to love… I never witnessed from him a devotion I could call love.” (Rae-Lee 58) In the beginning of the novel Henry is ashamed of all of this “what belief did I ever hold in my father, whose daily life I so often ridiculed and looked upon with such abject shame?” (Rae-Lee 53) However, Henry begins to realize that his father left his highly established Korean education behind him which was once his greatest pride. Henry's father was the perfect example of a native speaker. He came into a new country, changing his life to adapt, and embracing the American language and culture. Reinventing the man he wanted to be. “He came to know that the sky was never the limit.” (Rae-Lee 333). Henry finally came to realize that he is the lone son of a true “Native Speaker”.
In conclusion, the novel shines light on the significance of language, Chang-Rae Lee expresses a true native speaker with Henry’s Immigrant father. Growing up Henry doesn’t realize the true sacrifice that his father has made. Nonetheless, as the novel comes to an end, he sees the man for who he really is: a true native speaker that extinguished great courage and countless
Henry, the narrator, grew up speaking fluent English; he also spoke some Korean. Henry’s parents moved from Korea making him a Korean-American. Henry’s Wife, Leila, worked as speech therapist for children. Most of the children that Leila worked with had learning disabilities. “All day she helped these children manipulate …show more content…
Many of the traits that Henry exercises is also seen in his father, mainly his emotional stature. Leila once told Henry that his father was just a more brutal version of him. In talking about his father Henry says: “He was the definition of thick skin. For most of my youth I wasn’t sure that he had the capacity to love… I never witnessed from him a devotion I could call love.” (Rae-Lee 58) In the beginning of the novel Henry is ashamed of all of this “what belief did I ever hold in my father, whose daily life I so often ridiculed and looked upon with such abject shame?” (Rae-Lee 53) However, Henry begins to realize that his father left his highly established Korean education behind him which was once his greatest pride. Henry's father was the perfect example of a native speaker. He came into a new country, changing his life to adapt, and embracing the American language and culture. Reinventing the man he wanted to be. “He came to know that the sky was never the limit.” (Rae-Lee 333). Henry finally came to realize that he is the lone son of a true “Native Speaker”.
In conclusion, the novel shines light on the significance of language, Chang-Rae Lee expresses a true native speaker with Henry’s Immigrant father. Growing up Henry doesn’t realize the true sacrifice that his father has made. Nonetheless, as the novel comes to an end, he sees the man for who he really is: a true native speaker that extinguished great courage and countless