Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Pachinko, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Survival and Family
Imperialism, Resistance, and Compromise
Identity, Blood, and Contamination
Love, Motherhood, and Women’s Choices
Summary
Analysis
Solomon and Hana are sitting together at Yangjin’s funeral. Solomon tries to concentrate while Hana whispers questions about Christianity. Solomon is a Christian, having grown up with the stories of his grandfather Isak’s martyrdom, but many Japanese think of Christianity as a cult. Hana has been staying with Etsuko, but she doesn’t have much to do except follow Solomon around. Solomon feels both excited and nervous around Hana.
Solomon has grown up with the religious heritage passed down by his grandparents, but his Christian faith is yet another way in which he stands out as a Korean in Japanese society. Meanwhile, he doesn’t know quite what to make of Hana.
Themes
Hansu, walking with a cane, approaches Sunja after the funeral. Sunja doesn’t want to hold anything against Hansu anymore, but when he mentions that his wife has died and that he thought Sunja would marry him now, she flees in tears. She can’t understand why Noa is dead and Hansu still lives.
Sunja will never be able to relate to Hansu in an uncomplicated way. Although good things have come of their connection—like Noa, and many things about her life in Japan—she wouldn’t have lost Noa if not for him, either. It seems as if he will forever linger in her life, both helping and hurting her.
Themes
