The idea of colonization has been around since the start of humanity. Colonization, "stemming from the Latin word colere, actually means to inhabit, cultivate, tend, guard and respect." What is so ironic, is that not many groups of people who have been colonized would ever use these terms to describe the process, except maybe inhabit. Modern use of the word colonization refers to the ruling over an indigenous people, forcing them to adapt to the new culture and amend their views of who is the authority.
Korean-American author, Teresa Cha, was born during the Korean War in South Korea. There is no disputing the incredible amount of colonization Korea has gone through, between the Sino-Japanese war on Korean soil, the Russo-Japanese war also on Korean soil and finally with the partisan of the country itself into North and South Korea. This ongoing battle over control of a country that has an entire history and culture of its own, has created an animosity within the country and with the natives towards other countries. Cha writes, in her short story Melpomene Tragedy, of the brainwash that her people have gone through. In the opening section she writes, "She could be seen sitting in the first few rows. Closer the better. The more. Better to eliminate the presence of others surroundings better view from that which is left behind far away back behind more for closer view more and more face to face until nothing else sees only this view singular." (p33) These powerful few lines referring to her mother really emphasize the fact her mother has become narrow minded and excluded. The words choices, "left behind far away back behind" over exaggerate the culture, people and view she left behind her. The ironic imagery of a church, with use of the word "rows" emulates the Catholic devotion and idolization of a singular God/ priest standing up at the alter, just as her mother has grown to love this new authority.
Anthony Burgess once said, “Colonialism. The enforced spread of the rule of reason. But who is going to spread it among the colonizers?" I would imagine that Cha would agree with this same realistic outlook on colonialism. The idea of Melpomene refers to the Greek muse of Tragedy, a concept we as English majors are very familiar with. For me, there is no happy ending in a tragedy, just a lesson to be learned. Cha reiterates the idea that; whatever has influenced or sculpted the path of South Korea, there can be no happy ending, simply because South Korea has not had a natural journey. Cha references the perfection of nature juxtaposed to her nation on page 34. Cha writes, "The correct time behind the windows the correct season the correct forecast. Beyond the empty, the correct setting, immobile. Placid. Extreme stillness. Misplaces nothing. Nothing equivalent. Irreplaceable. Not before. Not after." Chas' yearn to be like nature is so clear. Nature has proven over and over that it is the only genuinely natural thing on this earth. Everything else, including South Korea, has been tainted by mankind. Cha's culture has been pulled and pushed every which way, causing a dilution in culture, causing a sense of anger towards those who have changed the natural way of things.
This reading, considering the jagged writing and vague expression of feeling was difficult for me. One aspect of the reading that stood out for me was the tone. The tone, for me, was extremely sad and evoked a sense of yearning. A yearn for normalcy and change.
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