Hansu and Isak, while different, both seem to want the best for Sunja. The differences are apparent in Hansu's wealth and power compared to Isak's more humble pursuit of ministry. Hansu represents his affection through money. He promises Sunja that she will be able to live a comfortable life with their child. A house would be purchased for her and her mother to live in and he would visit periodically. However, Sunja clearly is opposed to this. The one thing Hansu cannot offer Sunja is honesty. He never told her about his other family. To be with Sunja, even in her own eyes, is a dishonest trait for Hansu to have no matter how much she may have liked him. Hansu at best is morally ambiguous. He sometimes seems to show real affection, but he ultimately seems like a selfish character.
That is the main thing that Isak can offer Sunja that Hansu cannot. Isak's intent to take her of Sunja is very genuine, yet in the eyes of some, foolish. He is more passionate to be than Hansu because of the great challenge he chose to take by choosing to raise a child who is not his own. In his eyes, he is saving Sunja from sin. He is fathering a child that would not have been fathered without him. Even though he is poor, he is rich in his understanding of morals. He is smart and handsome, but he does have health issues. He is not able to navigate the world like Hansu can, and he is not as intimidating a figure.
Hey John! I like your analysis on the way that each father/father-figure expresses their affection. I am reminded of the ajumma in the marketplace that tells Sunja "the man you marry will determine the quality of your life completely." I wonder if Sunja defines quality of life more as being cared for emotionally (from Isak) or financially (from Hansu).
ReplyDeleteHey, John! I found your post to be interesting, in part because of the way you depict Hansu and Isak as both wanting to help Sunja. I think that Hansu is not doing whats best for her. I would say that he is just dealing with the consequences of his actions, which he did not think through. Admittedly, he does offer to care for her well after she gets pregnant, but this is more of a cover-up than a genuine connection. I think he does care for her, but he cares for himself more.
ReplyDeleteHey John! Interesting analysis on Isak and Hansu. I personally think that while Hansu does care for Sunja, that care is directly tied to how much Sunja can benefit him. I found him to be offputting at many points in the story, and abandoning her with his child after Sunja condemns Hansu definitely shows that he puts himself above all else, being selfish like you said. Isak seems selfless almost to a fault, and I definitely got the sense that he has genuine care for Sunja.
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