Native Speaker

by Chang-rae Lee

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Native Speaker Questions and Answers

What are some symbols in Native Speaker?

Where does the book Native Speaker show the challenges faced during immigration?

What challenges does Henry face as an immigrant in Native Speaker?

What does Henry mean when he says John Kwang represents a problem of the imagination?

In Henry's experiences as a first-generation immigrant in Native Speaker, there are clear difficulties and emotions he has to go through, like assimilation and alienation, because he feels like doesn't belong to either the country of his parents or the country of his lived experience. What are some examples that appear in the text of his feelings of not belonging to the country of his parents and the country of his own lived experience?

In Native Speaker, what is learned about male Koreanness and America by the end?

In Native Speaker, how does the author interpret the climax of the novel?

What motivates Lelia to take these private trips knowing that her marriage is in trouble?

How does Chang-Rae Lee portray the concept of "home" in Native Speaker?

How does the last chapter offer a non-political alternative to John Kwang’s vision of multiculturalism?

In Native Speaker, Kwang seems to share an earnestness to uplift all minority groups because it will benefit Koreans and all others. What do you make of his involvement with the Korean storeowner and a Black customer? Should Kwang have stepped in? How do the storeowner and Black customer feel? Why does the storeowner begrudgingly listen to Kwang? Does this show where Kwang's allegiance lies? Is he for the people, or for himself?

Describe the historical context of Native Speaker and how it is embedded in a larger literary history that includes literature before/after it.