White Mulberry Summary, Characters and Themes
White Mulberry by Rosa Kwon Easton is a historical novel that delves into the lives of two Korean sisters, Miyoung and Bohbeh, under the oppressive rule of Japan in the early 20th century.
The story captures their struggles with family expectations, societal limitations, and the harsh realities of colonialism. While Bohbeh is trapped in an arranged marriage in Japan, Miyoung yearns for freedom through education and escape. The novel weaves themes of resilience, sisterhood, and self-determination, offering a compelling exploration of the lives of women in an era defined by tradition and suppression.
Summary
White Mulberry unfolds across four parts, chronicling the lives of two sisters, Miyoung and Bohbeh, in the midst of Korea’s Japanese occupation. Set between Korea and Japan, the novel examines their personal journeys against the backdrop of colonial oppression, societal expectations, and the fight for autonomy.
In the first part of the novel, set in Pyongan Province, Northern Korea, 11-year-old Miyoung dreams of independence and freedom.
Living in a small village under Japanese rule, her life is restricted by the oppressive customs and expectations of women. Miyoung’s older half-sister, Bohbeh, is thrust into an arranged marriage with a Japanese man through the manipulation of their mother, who is desperate for financial stability. Miyoung, who idolizes Bohbeh, is heartbroken as she watches her sister leave for Japan.
Their family runs a boarding house, where the girls are caught in a web of traditional expectations. Miyoung’s fate seems sealed when her father arranges her own marriage to a local boy, Ilsoo, known for his cruelty. However, Miyoung harbors a deep resentment toward this arranged fate and clings to her education as a possible escape.
Miyoung’s bond with her teacher, Teacher Kim, becomes pivotal as she encourages Miyoung to embrace education, providing an avenue for personal growth and empowerment. Miyoung starts attending church secretly, inspired by Christianity’s promise of equality and freedom.
Throughout these early chapters, Miyoung’s struggle is primarily internal, grappling with the expectation of marriage and a deep yearning for a different future. Despite her mother’s increasing pressure to conform, Miyoung becomes resolute in her desire to study and escape the future her father has planned for her.
The second part of the novel shifts to Kyoto, Japan, where Bohbeh begins her life with her new husband. Her hopes for a better life are quickly dashed as she experiences mistreatment and abuse from her husband, Mr. Chung’s brother, and struggles with her status as a second-class citizen.
Koreans in Japan are forced to assimilate, adopting Japanese names and working in grueling conditions, and Bohbeh faces relentless racism and exploitation. She befriends other Korean women in similar situations, and their solidarity becomes her only source of comfort.
Meanwhile, Miyoung remains back in Korea, feeling trapped by her impending marriage to Ilsoo but inspired by the possibility of escape through education.
Throughout the novel, both sisters’ lives run parallel to one another, with Bohbeh’s suffering in Japan and Miyoung’s internal resistance in Korea serving as a constant contrast.
Miyoung’s relationship with her mother becomes strained as her mother falls ill, making Miyoung’s future even more uncertain.
She continues to secretly plan her escape to Pyongyang, where she hopes to pursue her education and delay the marriage that looms over her life.
In the third part of the story, the tension heightens. Bohbeh’s suffering worsens as her husband’s control over her tightens.
Miyoung’s mother insists on continuing with the marriage arrangement despite Miyoung’s resistance, and Miyoung must decide whether to accept her fate or rebel. The weight of her family’s expectations and her own dreams collides in a turning point when Miyoung must take a bold step toward her independence.
At the same time, a tragedy strikes—possibly in Korea or Japan—forcing both sisters to make crucial decisions about their futures.
The final part of the book brings the action to Osaka, where many Koreans are subjected to poverty and harsh treatment. Bohbeh’s situation becomes even more desperate as her husband moves the family to Osaka, and her hopes for escape seem increasingly bleak.
Meanwhile, Miyoung’s escape finally materializes, though it comes with great risk. Both sisters must confront their own fates—Miyoung is on the verge of freedom, but her escape is fraught with danger, while Bohbeh finds herself at a crossroads where her only option is either to break free or remain trapped.
As the novel nears its conclusion, a climactic moment of resistance from both sisters defines their journeys. With war looming and colonial rule tightening, the sisters’ paths converge in unexpected ways, marking a final act of defiance, sacrifice, or acceptance. In the end, White Mulberry reveals the enduring bond of sisterhood, the price of survival, and the hope for a better future even in the darkest of circumstances.
The novel closes on a note of both tragedy and hope, as the characters face the ultimate cost of their decisions in an unforgiving world.
Characters
Miyoung
Miyoung, the protagonist of White Mulberry, is an 11-year-old girl living under the oppressive rule of Japanese occupation. At the beginning of the novel, Miyoung embodies innocence and naivety, filled with dreams of freedom but trapped by societal expectations that restrict her to the role of a wife.
Her journey is one of resistance against these expectations. Unlike many girls in her village, who are expected to marry young, Miyoung is determined to carve out a life for herself that doesn’t conform to these traditions.
Her education becomes her tool of defiance, and she is inspired by her teacher, Teacher Kim, who opens her eyes to new possibilities. Miyoung’s courage grows as she faces the looming threat of an arranged marriage to Ilsoo, a boy she despises.
Her desire to escape this fate leads her to secretly plan her departure to Pyongyang for schooling. Throughout her journey, she questions whether she can truly break free from the oppressive forces that bind her.
By the end of the novel, Miyoung must confront her fears and make a choice that will ultimately determine her future. Whether she succeeds in escaping or faces some form of sacrifice, her arc represents the theme of resistance and self-determination against a backdrop of cultural constraints.
Bohbeh
Bohbeh’s arc in White Mulberry is defined by tragedy and the harsh realities of being a woman under colonial rule. At the start of the novel, Bohbeh is seen as a prize for marriage, and her life is dictated by the decisions of her mother and the oppressive societal structures that force women into submission.
When she is sent to Japan, her hopes of starting a new life are quickly dashed as she finds herself in an abusive marriage to a man who doesn’t care for her, surrounded by the discrimination and hardships faced by Koreans in Japan. Bohbeh’s inner conflict grows as she struggles to navigate a foreign land where she is treated as a second-class citizen.
Her relationships with other Korean women in Japan, who are in similar situations, provide her some comfort, but she cannot escape the confines of her circumstances. As her suffering worsens, Bohbeh’s desire for freedom becomes more urgent, and she contemplates various forms of rebellion.
She is faced with the difficult decision of either enduring her fate or risking everything to escape. Bohbeh’s arc ultimately explores the tension between submission and resistance, as well as the sacrifices women make in their search for autonomy.
Whether she finds freedom or is crushed by her circumstances, her story highlights the cruel realities of assimilation and identity loss.
Miyoung’s Mother
Miyoung’s mother is a woman shaped by hardship and survival. Having already lost one daughter to the forces of arranged marriage, she is pragmatic and emotionally distant, believing that the only way for her daughters to survive is through marriage.
This belief is rooted in her own traumatic experiences, and she views marriage as a form of security in a world where women have few options. At the beginning of the novel, she is unsympathetic to Miyoung’s desire for education and personal agency.
Her decision to marry off Bohbeh to Mr. Chung, despite Bohbeh’s objections, is a demonstration of her mindset that familial survival outweighs individual happiness. However, as the novel progresses, Miyoung’s defiance challenges her mother’s worldview.
Miyoung’s determination to escape marriage and pursue education forces her mother to confront the possibility that her traditional methods may not be the best path for her daughters. In the end, her character arc is one of change, though the outcome remains uncertain.
She could either support Miyoung’s fight for a better life or betray her in favor of tradition. Her role embodies the older generation’s sacrifices and the emotional scars left by colonial oppression, highlighting the tension between survival and personal sacrifice.
Teacher Kim
Teacher Kim represents the voice of progress and change in White Mulberry. A rare female teacher in Miyoung’s village, Teacher Kim is progressive, educated, and dedicated to helping her students reach their full potential.
She becomes a mentor to Miyoung, inspiring her to believe that education can offer freedom and an alternative to the confines of arranged marriage. Teacher Kim introduces Miyoung to Christianity, a belief system that contrasts with traditional Korean values and promotes equality and personal agency.
Throughout the novel, Teacher Kim stands as a beacon of hope for Miyoung, offering her a path out of the oppressive environment of her village. However, Teacher Kim’s support comes with its own risks, as she too faces the backlash of a society that doesn’t fully accept women in positions of power.
Her actions towards Miyoung push her to the edge of rebellion, and she even offers Miyoung a way out—whether through a scholarship or a safe place to stay. In the end, Teacher Kim’s fate represents the potential for change but also the cost of that change, as her role as a mentor is fraught with personal sacrifices.
She is a representation of what Miyoung could become, though her own future remains uncertain.
Mr. Chung
Mr. Chung is the opportunistic figure in White Mulberry, whose role in the story highlights the exploitation that took place under Japanese colonial rule. A Korean man who profits from the subjugation of his own people, Mr. Chung arranges the marriage between Bohbeh and his brother in Japan, positioning himself as a middleman in the process.
His actions reveal the ugly underbelly of Korean collaboration with Japanese oppression, and his manipulation of the situation forces Bohbeh into a life of suffering. Throughout the novel, Mr. Chung represents the self-serving opportunists who used the vulnerability of their own people to gain favor with the Japanese authorities.
His betrayal of Bohbeh is a key turning point in her arc, as it drives her deeper into despair and forces her to confront the true cost of her submission. In the end, Mr. Chung’s character serves as a symbol of those who exploit power dynamics for personal gain, often at the expense of their own people.
Ilsoo
Ilsoo is the antagonist in Miyoung’s personal story, representing the traditional patriarchal expectations that trap women in their roles. A spoiled and violent boy, Ilsoo is chosen by Miyoung’s father to be her future husband.
His presence in the story is a constant reminder of the cruelty and entitlement that come with the institution of arranged marriages. Ilsoo is initially seen as a minor threat, but as Miyoung’s resistance grows, he becomes a more prominent figure in her fight for freedom.
His role in the novel becomes pivotal during the turning point in Miyoung’s arc, as her rejection of him marks her refusal to conform to the societal norms that dictate her future. Ilsoo’s character illustrates the toxic masculinity that underpins the tradition of arranged marriages, and his eventual retaliation against Miyoung’s defiance reveals the dangers that women face when they challenge male authority.
Ultimately, Ilsoo’s arc is defined by his inability to understand or accept Miyoung’s resistance, and his eventual role is to be left behind as Miyoung seeks her own future. His character serves to underscore the themes of control and defiance present in the novel.
Themes
The Struggle for Female Autonomy in the Face of Patriarchal Control and Colonial Oppression
One of the most profound themes explored in White Mulberry is the oppressive systems that restrict the autonomy of women, especially under the weight of both patriarchal traditions and colonial subjugation. The central characters, particularly Miyoung and Bohbeh, are shaped by a society where their fates are often determined by the decisions of their fathers or male figures.
Arranged marriages are not just a personal matter but a form of survival for families under colonial rule, where women are commodified for their ability to ensure economic stability through marriage. Miyoung’s desire for education and independence reflects a deep yearning to escape the traditional expectations imposed on her, yet she faces overwhelming societal resistance.
The colonization by Japan heightens this struggle, as the Japanese occupation reinforces gender roles while also placing Korean women in a subordinate position within both Korean and Japanese societies. This theme weaves a critical commentary on how multiple layers of control—cultural, familial, and political—interact to limit women’s agency and how these women attempt to resist in subtle and overt ways.
The Emotional and Psychological Toll of Forced Migration and Assimilation
Another key theme is the emotional and psychological toll of forced migration and assimilation, particularly experienced by Bohbeh in Japan. Upon her forced relocation to Japan through an arranged marriage, Bohbeh is subjected not only to a harsh new reality in an unfamiliar land but also to the dehumanizing process of assimilation.
As a Korean woman in Japan, she is forced to abandon her identity, take on a Japanese name, and endure systemic discrimination. This sense of displacement and alienation is compounded by her husband’s cruelty, and Bohbeh’s journey is one of profound loneliness and loss.
Her experience underscores the psychological toll that forced migration and assimilation can have, especially when one is made to feel like a perpetual outsider. This theme resonates beyond Bohbeh’s story, reflecting the broader historical context of Koreans in Japan during the colonial period, who were often treated as second-class citizens, stripped of their identities, and subjected to a relentless push to conform to the dominant culture.
The Intersection of Education, Religion, and Social Mobility for Women Under Colonial Rule
Miyoung’s path to potential freedom is marked by her increasing desire for education and the influence of Christianity, which offers her an escape route from the oppressive structures that seek to control her. Education, as introduced by Teacher Kim, is presented as a powerful tool that can transcend gender restrictions and offer a form of social mobility for women.
Christianity, with its focus on equality and the dignity of the individual, also becomes an avenue for Miyoung to question the status quo and to challenge the conventional roles assigned to women in her society. Teacher Kim becomes a crucial figure in this theme, embodying the possibility of a life beyond the restrictions of marriage and motherhood, and guiding Miyoung toward an empowered future.
This theme emphasizes the role of intellectual and spiritual awakening in the fight for personal autonomy, particularly for women, in an era of both gender and colonial subjugation.
The Enduring Legacy of Familial Bonds Amidst the Trauma of Separation and Suffering
Despite the harsh conditions that separate the characters and often force them into different paths, the theme of enduring familial bonds runs deeply through the novel. Miyoung and Bohbeh, although physically separated by both geography and circumstance, are continually united through their shared experiences and the emotional connection they maintain despite the distance.
The pain of family separation under colonial rule, the suffering of one sibling in a foreign land, and the silent support they offer one another are central elements of this theme. The novel explores how family, despite the immense trauma inflicted by societal and political forces, can still provide a sense of strength, identity, and resistance.
This theme highlights that, in the face of adversity, family ties are often the only source of comfort and solidarity, and the love between siblings becomes an enduring force that transcends even the most painful circumstances.
The Inescapable Impact of Colonialism on Personal Identity, Social Status, and National Belonging
Colonialism, in White Mulberry, is not just a political system—it is an oppressive force that infiltrates every aspect of the characters’ lives, from personal identity to social status and national belonging. The Korean characters are forced to navigate a world where their identity is erased or distorted by their colonizers.
For Bohbeh, this takes the form of the enforced assimilation into Japanese culture, which strips her of her Korean heritage and forces her to abandon her name and familial history. Even in Korea, the presence of Japanese rule impacts daily life, influencing everything from the family structure to the opportunities available for personal advancement.
The novel poignantly captures the sense of being a stranger in one’s own land, as characters grapple with questions of who they are, where they belong, and what they can claim as their own. The theme of identity under colonial rule serves as a powerful reflection on the psychological effects of subjugation and the struggle to retain one’s sense of self in a world designed to erase it.
The Emotional Cost of Survival
Finally, the emotional cost of survival is a critical theme, particularly in the way it manifests through sacrifice, loss, and hope. Characters are constantly faced with difficult choices that force them to balance the need to survive with the preservation of their dignity and humanity.
Bohbeh, for example, faces the choice between submitting to her fate or risking everything for a chance at freedom, and her struggle is emblematic of the broader experiences of many women under oppressive regimes. Miyoung, too, grapples with the emotional cost of fighting for her future—whether that means defying her mother, risking her safety, or making personal sacrifices to escape the fate that has been prepared for her.
Despite the losses and heartache, the theme of hope persists throughout the novel, as characters continue to resist, to dream, and to strive for a life of their own making. This theme underscores the resilience of the human spirit even in the darkest times, showing that survival is not just about physical endurance but about the emotional strength to continue striving for something better, even when the cost seems too high.