CRANES by Hwang Sun-won
Translated by Peter H. Lee
Background
This
story is centered in the area known as the 38th Parallel, the dividing
line between North and South Korea. When this country was liberated
after W.W.II by the Russians (to the North) and the Americans (to
the South), a great deal of discord arrived. These two groups helped establish the governments with two very diverse ways (N. Korea is communist and S. Korea is a Republic). In 1950, Communist forces crossed the parallel in an invasion that started the Korean War. During the Korean War
(1950-1953), many skirmishes continued to erupt along the lines
of the 38th Parallel.
In 1953, a truce was arranged, but skirmishes at the 38th parallel continued to erupt. During the war, many villages along the 38th parallel changed hands several times. The Korean War, like all civil wars, sometimes pitted relative against relative, neighbor against neighbor, and friend against friend. This story focuses on one of these relationships. "Cranes" is set in one of those villages and this is one of those stories.
Symbolism
From Southeast Asia to parts of the Mediterranean, the crane is a symbol of justice, longevity, and goodness.
Insert into Microsoft Reader
- The
story is in the shared directory P:\handouts\CSB\Software\MS Reader Library>cranes
- you may just drag it across to the reader you already have installed
Using Microsoft Reader
- Go back to the MS Reader Library Folder>Click on Cranes> drag the icon onto Microsoft Reader on your desktop (this will install cranes into the reader program)
Read - Cranes
Then Complete Review and Response
Open a Word Document - Title your document "Cranes" - include the questions and answers - please be detailed in your responses - spell and grammar check
- Where does the story open (location)? Describe the setting in intricate detail
- Which person's viewpoint is the story being told from? Copy and paste an example from the reading to support your answer.
- Which side (N. Korea or S. Korea) has control of the 38th Parallel at this point in time (when the story is being told)? Copy and paste an example from the reading to support your answer
- Describe Song-sam's relationship with Tok-chae when they were young?
- To where has Song-sam returned? How has the place changed? Copy and paste an example from the reading to support your answer
- Why is Tok-chae tied up?
- Why do you think Song-sam decides not to light another cigarette?
- When Song-Sam asked Tok-chae about his killing, what conflicting emotions or attitudes does he experience?
- What birds does our culture associate with different human qualities? Give at least 2 examples and their association.
- What 2 things prevented Tok-chae from evacuating?
- How is the symbolism of the crane related to both characters? Explain and give examples from the story to support your answer
Lastly, Do Final Writing Closure
Retell the events of the story in a letter from either:
- Song-Sam to his family
- Tok-chae to Shorty
Material
Adapted from: World Literature, Copyright 1993 by
Holt, Rinehart and Winston
