"On Going Home"

Chang-Rae Lee begins his story at the peak of the situation which I believe draws in the reader and as he explains the rigorous details of his mother's illness. You can create a vivid image in your mind of the difficulty the mother and the family go through as they live this nightmare together.
The horrible irony of the mother’s obvious passion for food and then being diagnosed with stomach cancer is depressing. I think a great symbol in this piece is food. This symbol could represent family. When you think of food you imagine all the ingredients and time and effort it takes to prepare it and also when you eat you are satisfied and most likely in a better mood. When related to family it is a mixture of people who when they come together there is a happy aroma that fills the room and everyone appears in better spirits. I could take away from this book to always remember that family is important and to always make time to spend with the ones you love. There could also be the symbol of the bone for the kalbi. It held the meat together as the mother did in this piece. She was the bone and even though she passed the family was brought together from their once seperate lives. The title "Coming Home Again" could indicate that even when you leave your never really gone you always have a home and that is where the heart is.
I feel like I can relate to the situation because as soon as I was old enough I moved out with my friend. I was always ashamed of my mother at times and though she new nothing and I had all the answers. She was also a single parent in my younger years so I believed being on my own and experiencing life would be more beneficial to me. It was not my mother’s wishes as it was in this piece but I figured I knew what was best. I can truly say it was hard and I failed a significant amount of times. When it was to much my mother was there to help me up and I ended up back home. Being a mother now and understanding the bond and love you have for your children I regret ever hurting her. I can’t imagine life without my mother. I have had many friends in my life and can only think of a few that I still have a relationship with. I know when I really need someone family will be there. We have a tradition now and get together every Tuesday to spend quality time with each other. I have my own home now but mom’s house is my favorite get-a-way