Sumik’o’s mystical record is explained in the near future. Their unique female temperament comes off their particular experience in socialism along with her college education, which offer their particular rational borrowing from the bank and put their above the reputation you to Taeyong provides speculatively provided their unique ahead of. Immediately following Sumik’o’s 2nd stop by at Taeyong’s place of work, Taeyong and you may Sumik’o get into their particular apartment, and you will she completely opens up to him regarding their unique previous life and her reasons for moving to Seoul. Afterward, she decided to go to school, but she did not quit their own need for socialism. Whenever their own dad made an effort to get married their particular of which have a giant dowry, she escaped house once again and later became looking for Korea and decided to go on to Seoul to pursue a different sort of life.

Their particular performance regarding domesticity in her apartment-as an example, making teas and you can toast or taking off their male visitor’s finish-functions as an indication from their unique early in the day life with an excellent socialist man as well as their awareness of bourgeois suggestions off personal love and you may courtship you to result from their unique center-class members of the family records

Because novella was published regarding blog post-KAPF stop months, the definition of « socialism » had previously been censored as « XX » and you can after that replaced with « opium, » an intricate collection of Ch’ae’s when Sumik’o informs their unique tale. She says, « Their individuals described XX since opium, right? » (Age 46). XX is sometimes used in host to censored conditions, but writers and willingly used it as a replacement having terms that might be candidates to possess censorship. 35 By the replacement « socialism » with « opium, » the words treats the previous given that an addictive issue. At the same time, they asserts a specific ambiguity about the thought of socialism. Such as for example, another statement by the Sumik’o creates an unclear meaning: « In the long run, I found myself another opium addict. But getting bookish, I found myself in addition to an enthusiastic opium addict just who did not get opium » (E62). Sumik’o’s demand for socialism along with her college education categorize her since the a great socalled the brand new woman, hence Taeyong finds out respectable. These features will be the right attributes of one’s the fresh new woman within the Korea during the time. thirty-six

This lady has a variety of different [End Page 270] qualities: a good sexualized, beautiful system; an interest in socialism; and you may a possible to own domesticity

Sumik’o’s socialist prior is the reason for Taeyong’s value on her behalf, however, their unique ideological venture is even the reason of the split. She passes through a successful transition regarding an effective socialist so you can a beneficial Japanese purple loyalist in the novella. Taeyong, on the other hand, stays in the Seoul instead of their own and you will will continue to confine his life so you’re able to his limited requirements. Their unique socialist earlier in the day can become an enthusiastic imperialist venture when she motions in order to Seoul then next on the Chinese region-Manchuria. Her relocate to Seoul scratches their particular « conversion » (K. chonhyang, J. tenko) out-of socialism and her merger to your Japanese extension project. At the conclusion of the storyline, Sumik’o renders for Manchukuo herself, in place of recognizing their unique propose to return to Tokyo-plans she in the first place in addition to advised so you’re able to Taeyong. The final action out-of Sumik’o’s successful « conversion » contrasts towards the « non-conversion » from Taeyong, exactly who she leaves behind. 37

At the same time, Taeyong’s reputation since the a beneficial colonized subject shines as he uses big date which have Sumik’o. Eg, it converse for the Japanese, not Korean. Brand new argument anywhere between socialism and you may imperialism and additionally contributes to Taeyong’s sense. He demonstrates that he was an enthusiastic « opium addict » (i.e. socialist) previously however, does not proceed with the addiction anymore. None really does he support imperialist ideology. He shows you you to his unsupportive ideas into japan Empire made him prevent writing novels. However, mysteriously, through the a lengthy monologue you to criticizes the state of latest society, the guy demonstrates that the guy completely supporting japan « samurai heart » (that’s, the prices of your Japanese armed forces), he states is based on company « principle » (E87). Which detail enjoys have a tendency to come discover as a proof getting Ch’ae Mansik’s collaborationist characteristics. But not, on the facts, the japanese samurai heart is actually exhibited among the causes why Taeyong try not to generate books any further. Japan « principle » is actually a genuine idea as well as a thing that he cannot totally master, and come up with your stop trying the written text from novels [Prevent Web page 271] completely from regard because of it. Taeyong including condemns Nanjing in China bride almost every other modern-day editors for creating average works for money alone. He insinuates why these really works try collaborationist weblog. Ch’ae, as the copywriter, might possibly be shielding himself to have composing so it extremely section having economic factors, a love facts one helps colonial ideologies.