I've finished Native Speaker and I'm satisfied with the ending. I didn't think Lelia and Henry would be able to patch things up, but they proved me wrong- I guess opposites do attract. I believe that Henry finally realized that his job as a spy wasn't helping his life back home since it required that he keep so much from his wife. Naturally, he was someone who kept most of his feelings to himself and this job only made him have an even bigger wall up. Also, Lelia teaching the kids at home brought a new, refreshing, and positive vibe to a place normally filled with an awkward heaviness.
While I was happy for Lelia and Henry, Kwang's political demise was heartwrenching! He went through so much to accomplish what he did and just like that, people turned on him in the lowest of ways. I was appalled by the angry mob waiting outside of his house, yelling hideous slurs, spitting on, and eventually bumrushing him. I felt like his career in politics was officially over, that there was no coming back from his fall. Sadly, all he wanted was to assist those who needed help in achieving their goals.
If the book were to go on, I assume that Lelia and Henry would eventually have another child. I wouldn't consider this replacing Mitt at all, they were just so loving toward him and another child deserves the love they have to give. Regarding Kwang, it would have been so interesting if he and Henry would have continued a friendship- but I don't know how this would've worked.
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When i read about Lelia moving back in our last reading assignment, I felt that this novel would end up with Lelia and Henry being back together. I am also glad that this ended up happening. Also, it was good to see that both of them were willing to change their lives so that they could be back together. When it comes to Kwang, I agree it was horrible what they did to him. However, i feel that is the usual case when it comes to people who want to do so much good for everyone. There are those that are willing to ruin their careers because of jealousy. Overall, Lelia and Henry's reconciling made me very satisfied with the ending of this novel.
I liked the fact that although the book had many low points, it ended on a higher note. I also liked that all of the characters were dynamic; everyone changed throughout the course of the book, and no one was the same as when they had started. Even Lelia and Henry were not the same people, and yet they were able to grow together as a stronger couple in spite of their differences, or even because of them.
I agree with what everyone has said about the ending of this novel. I am happy that Henry and Lelia got back together. If the novel were to continue, I would want them to try to have another child. I think they are stronger because of what they have been through together. Henry letting Lelia into his other life was a big step in the right direction for their relationship. And quiting his job was an even bigger step, I would have never guessed he would do that in the beginning of the novel. Losing a child almost seperated them for good, like it did Ma and Leon, but they pulled themselves together the way a tragedy should pull a family close together. I think they still have some things to work out about the loss of their son but its getting better.
I totally agree with what you said. I didnt think that they would be getting back together. I thought there differences would tear them apart for ever. But yea, I think they would have another child very soon.
It was nice to see a happy ending in a story. I admit to being kind of a sucker for them. Seeing Henry and Lelia get back to gether was nice and hopefully they have a happy life ahead. I kind of think its upseting what happened in the end with the other spy and the guy henrry was taleing. Bbut I have to admit the messed up way all the political stuff ended in the book reminded me of New YouK politics in real life. not a bad addaption by the writer I must say.
I'm really impressed with Native Speaker. Many novels have a bad tendency to compromise realism in their attempt to create a cathartic experience. Native Speaker did not. The emotional difficulties Henry and Lelia faced as a couple remained true even as they became hopeful. Henry didn't suddenly become an easily communicative man. Lelia didn't suddenly understand the intricacies of Chinese culture or her husband's difficulties communicating. They're both still oscillating between laughing together on the bed and sitting each on their own at extremes of the apartment. Henry calls it a game where he is "her long-term guest. Permanently visiting. That she likes me okay and can bear my presence, but who can know for how long?" That they're both still unsure, that's real. And yet the mere fact that he's there, that he's a *permanent* guest, that's hopeful.
Lee's created an incredible novel that isn't just about the immigrant experience or the assimilation experience. It's about the human experience. For that reason and Lee's deft writing, it far surpasses any other novel or story we've read in this course.
I think the book is more theme (assimilation and integration into American culture and the need to readapt into the environment). The multiple aspects of the plot spy job, kwang’s ghee, turbulent marriage just reinforce his point that old Korean concepts need to be reformulated so that it can be cohesive with American culture - you can’t have a large politically based ghee, nor be a passive aggressive quiet riot Korean when married to WASP.
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