Literary Analysis Of Sunja By Jin Lee

Ross Foust
Dr. Heinwon Shin
Composition and Literature
30 March 2023
Literary Analysis
Set in a small fishing village during the Japanese occupation of Korea this short story follows the life of Isak a sickly preacher and Sunja a young unmarried woman expecting a child. The story taken from Min Jin Lees's masterful work Pachinko elegantly portrays the themes of discrimination, faith, and redemption. By trusting in God Isak and Sunja are able to overcome persecution and start a new life for themselves in Japan.
The first theme that this short story tackles is discrimination. Throughout the short story, Min Jin Lee describes many different groups that are discriminated against one of which is Christians. It is stated at the beginning of

Isaks faith in God is evident throughout the entire story. Even as Isak faces persecution from the Japanese government he remains faithful to God's calling to teach and proclaim the gospel. Isaks faith is shown again when God calls him to take Sunja as his wife. Isak does not question God and immediately takes a trip to meet with an elder of his church to make arrangements for his marriage. When Isak tells the pastor of his plans the pastor tries to dissuade the young preacher from marrying Sunja. He begins to tell him “Your faith is a good son and your inventions are right, but”(Lee 66). However, before he can continue his statement Isak interjects and reasons that if God is calling him to do something there is no “but”. Christians are called to follow God without delay and trust him to protect them no matter the circumstances. Min Jin Lee elegantly illustrates the theme of faith through Isak’s obedience to

Isak follows God's instruction to marry Sunja and redeem her from a life of misery and struggle. Before Isak knows of Sunjas's predicament he is studying the book of Hosea. In the book, Hosea the prophet is called by God to marry a prostitute. “God makes the prophet Hosea marry a Harlet and raise children he didn't father” (Lee 64). The harlot is an allegory for the Israelites because they have strayed from God and become like a harlot; prostituting themselves before idols and other nations. Just like God uses Isak to redeem Sunja however, God has redeemed his people through the coming of Jesus. In the same way that Isak will have to endure the hardship of raising another man's child Jesus endured our sin on the cross to redeem mankind. Min Jin lee's short story Pachikco uses the book of Hosea to connect Isaks redemption of Sunja with God's redemption of his