Year Of Impossible Goodbyes Analysis

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In Year Of Impossible Goodbyes, Sookan demonstrates her growing maturity by becoming more independent. Sookan shows this Independence when she cares and supplied for Inchun on her own, had to survive without any caretakers, and got Inchun and herself across the 38th parallel. Sookan showed Independence when she was left to care for and supply for Inchun alone. Sookan’s mother is taken at a checkpoint, leaving Inchun with no mother to give him food or shelter. This required Sookan to take on the role as a mother, which was hard work with no means of money. When Inchun was hungry and Sookan gave him the rest of her bread, she tells him to “Chew it for a long time and eat slowly so you won't get a stomachache” (Choi 152). Sookan is taking on a caring trait, for she gave up the rest of the food they had to him, and gave him advice so that it would last him a while. The old Sookan would of either made Inchun …show more content…
When the Russians first invaded North Korea, Sookan and her family knew they had to escape. However, they thought that they needed a guide as well as mothers help along the way. Sookan proved them wrong and was also able to help her little brother escape as well. Sookan helps Inchun escape by instructing him what to do. She tells him to “Get down on all fours and stretch out your arms one at a time and try to grab onto the next rung” (162). This is referring to crossing underneath the railroad that led to South Korea. If Sookan had not instructed Inchun he may of died. However, being under a high pressure situation changed Sookan. She is now showing her leadership skills, in this case by telling Inchun what to do. As Sookan makes it into South Korea, she is astonished that she made it on her own. Sookan says that “Exhaustion and relief overwhelmed us” (165), Never did Sookan think she was capable of this in the