October 20, 2014 - 17:05
There is a struggle in the book between rebellion and conforming, tradition, and heritage. Yumi is extremely strong, independent, and courageous.
The characters see Yumi’s decision to sleep with her teacher, Elliot, as wrong, ignorant, immoral, and sinful, but that is not how I interpreted her relationship with Elliot. I think she was attracted to him because he was intelligent, had a nuanced perspective, and gave her a new insight into the world.
Though it seems that her parents, especially her father, are extremely ashamed of her, it seems that they made a large impression on her. She seems to practice and continue to be concerned with her mother’s traditions.