Question

A theme developed in “Bul-GO!-gi” is that each new generation has to find a balance between honoring tradition and being unique. What details from the story help develop this theme? How does the character of Ji-Suk help develop this theme? Use at least four examples and evidence from the text to support your response. Your response should be at least two complete paragraphs.

Answer 1

There are many details that help develop the theme in the short story “Bul-GO!-gi”. Some of the details that help develop the theme are the characters, each generation shows that they were taught different things when growing up. Ji-Suk helps develop the theme because when she was young, her mother wanted her to honor her Korean culture by cooking the native food and learning how to speak Korean. Ji-Suk was also focused in practicing how to fit in American society because since she lived in America, she wanted to fit in. The story states that Ji-Suk’s mother made “made Ji-Suk take Korean lessons every Saturday morning followed by violin lessons in the afternoon—and cooked kimchi and other Korean delicacies with her at least once a week—Ji-Suk's mother had wanted her to succeed by American standards.”She followed what her mom wanted her to achieve and became a lawyer. Later on, Ji-Suk opens a food truck because she finally decides to follow her dreams instead of doing exactly what she is told. Ji-Suk shows the theme of the story when she is raising her son to be whatever he wants to be and to not focus as much as she did on her heritage. Ji-Suk stated that “He wouldn't have to take violin lessons, nor would he have to learn Korean.” This shows that as time goes on, the generations change and gives each generation a different way of honoring tradition and being unique.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The way the protagonist has always felt in a conflict between the American culture and the Korean culture of her parents is what helps her to develop the theme. Ji-Suk, as the protagonist, raises her child differently from the way she was raised, especially with cultural tradition.

We can arrive at this answer because:

"Bul-GO! - gi" tells the story of how Ji-Suk, a Korean-American girl who felt in a great cultural conflict.

Ji-Suk's parents forced her to participate in Korean culture and prioritize that culture over American culture.

However, as she was fully involved with American society and identified more with that culture, Ji-Suk felt in constant conflict.

When she had a son, Ji-Suk didn't want to force Korean culture on her son, as she recognizes that he is American and lives in American society, regardless of his ancestry.

She doesn't want her son to live in cultural conflict and wants him to have a different experience from hers.

In this case, we can say that there is a difference between the generations of Ji-Suk and her son. While Ji-Suk's generation was obligated to uphold the cultural traditions of their parents, Ji-Suk's son's generation has no such obligation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hope this helps:)