The Representation of the Blackness/Darkness in Chang-rae Lee’s A Gesture Life

Abstract

In this paper, I discuss the representation of the blackness/darkness in Chang-rae Lee’s A Gesture Life. Franklin Hata, whose Japanese name was Jiro Kurohata (kurohata means a black flag), the protagonist, was born to Korean parents in Japan during the annexation of Korea by Japan. When World War II broke out, he was obligated to take care of comfort women— especially Kkutaeh, a Korean woman. His superior used a black flag to let him know when he should get her ready. I present an analysis of his name and the symbolism of the flag. After the war, Hata emigrated to the United States and adopted Sunny from Pusan in Korea. She was a GI baby (a GI baby is a baby who is born to a soldier in the US military and a local woman) — a black girl. I explore the relationship between Hata and Sunny. By referring to Comfort Women of the Empire published by Park Yuha, I also present evidence regarding the hidden history of comfort women.