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One of the most striking explorations of gender in Pachinko is with its connection to intelligence. Many of the women characters have the opportunity to express intelligence, such as Sunja's clever bargaining at the pawn shop, Yangjin's leadership and management of the boardinghouse, and Kyunghee's thriftiness at the market. However, in every case these women are viewed by others as the surprise, the exception, and are still belittled and underestimated. Prime examples are the way Sunja has to battle for Yoseb to listen to her plan to work and Hansu to agree that she is capable of raising her children without his help. Society cannot accept that she and other women are smart; rather, each is smart 'for a woman' if even that.
For the men characters, on the other hand, intelligence is not noteworthy. Although people may be impressed by Isak's knowledge, Hansu's craftiness, or Noa's academic abilities, they are not surprised that each character was able to achieve them. This expectation is exhibited by women as well as men: Sunja forgets to even ask Noa if his studies are difficult for him. Also, the intelligent men characters don't need to fight for credibility and respect soley based on their gender. While they are still certainly discriminated against for racial and other reasons, they have one less barrier to be overcome than the women in order to be taken seriously.
I think Lee wants to raise attention to the fact that gender disparities such as the perception of intelligence exist across cultures, geographies, generations, and time periods. I'm interested in seeing how the expression and reception of women's intelligence continues to develop throughout the novel.
Hey Heather! Before reading your post I never really tied the relationship between gender and intelligence together so explicitly. Each women, so far presented presents their intelligence in their own unique way. Even adding to that list there is Akiko, a fellow student at the University with Noa, who is presented as much more outgoing in terms of her intelligence where she knows her sociology well and tries to use this knowledge to read people. As well as Yumi, who is quite a good seamstress as well as a good learner who is studying English and just trying to learn all that she can.
ReplyDeleteI think your post was very well said and thought out.
Hi Heather! It's disheartening to see how the women characters' intelligence is constantly belittled and dismissed. I wonder how the theme of gender and intelligence develops as the novel progresses.
ReplyDeleteHey Heather, I agree with you that Lee is trying to show the reader that gender discrepancies "exist across cultures, geographies, generations, and time periods." While I think gender discrepancies may not be as noticeable in the United States as they are in Saudi Arabia, they are still present in all present cultures to varying degrees.
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