Progeny & Perseverance in Min Jin Lee's "Pachinko"

We are all shaped by the choices of those who come before us, and yet we maintain the power to decide how we will respond to the consequences of these actions. This is the central premise behind Min Jin Lee's Pachinko, a novel that follows the story of a Korean family that migrates to Japan in the early 20th century. 

Born into poverty, main character Sunja at first seems to bound to a life of labor and toil, similar to her own parents. Soon enough however she is presented with an opportunity to leave her homeland and venture to Japan, a place known to be hostile towards Koreans that nevertheless offers a chance at a better life. 

Japan is indeed a cruel world, and yet Sunja and her clan persevere throughout the course of several decades, by choosing to make the most of what little they do have. Despite facing significant pain, loss, and hardship, her tiny family eventually blossoms into something far greater than herself. With time Sunja comes to realize that her decision to immigrate had a greater impact than she could have ever imagined. 

The life of Sunja and her family is much like a pachinko game: the odds of winning are slim, and yet even the possibility of a potential gain gives them the courage to continue playing on and trying their hand at a better tomorrow. Ultimately, Pachinko is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of familial ties.