The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim
According to Korean customs an adult was addressed “by one’s family relational position, or profession.” The title was passed on to the daughter. Calligraphy has nothing to do with her. Because of the title of this book, I imagined she’d be involved in calligraphy. But this was strictly reserved for sons only. “Woman’s life was: obey one’s father, obey one’s husband, obey one’s sons.”
The story is set during early 20th century, when Japan tries to assimilate Korea. The story spans thirty years.
It is about a young girl, Najin Han, whose mother tries to convince her stern father, set to maintain the traditional way of Korea, to enroll the 8 year old into girl’s school.
At the end of the school years, at the age of 14, the father arranges to marry her to an aristocratic family. His wife for the first time defies him and arranges for the daughter to serve at the court, where she finishes upper school.
With king’s assassination, his dynasty ends as well as Najin’s role at the court. She pursues higher education at the first women’s college in Korea started by American missionaries, Ewha.
She finds love where she least expects it and finds hope for her further studies of medicine in America. But the fate has something else in store for her.
In this story the author explains the Confucian doctrine, philosophy of the scholar official class, through the layout of their house. How it was gender divided. The doctrine emphasis the importance of the family and social harmony. The official class they were part of was yangban, mainly composed of civil servant and military officials.
The well-written book is very absorbing. It gives a good insight into the Korean culture and their conflict with Japan - the second is not a detail portrayal of a war conflict. The treasure of this book is the culture aspect, which I cherished greatly.
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