OnlineBookClub.org

Pejay Bradley's novel has a beautiful metaphorical title. For me, "The Vanished" might refer to the following:
1) the gradual disappearance of the traditional Korean way of life under Japanese occupation and dominance;
2) the marginalized (servants, women) whose voices cannot be heard in a society where aristocracy and men have all the influence;
3) resistance heroes who sacrificed their lives and never gave up their fight for independence.
Which of these three best works to explain the title? Do you have any other ideas?

I agree it could be all three. I also think it could be that the idea of what they thought their lives would look like also vanished. I am sure Lady S could have never imagined herself trapped in a loveless marriage, only to see her son turn out the same. I am sure Embon never imagined his life would be the way it was.

I think it is about the vanishing of Korea's values and culture in a country dominated by Japan. They have to conform to survive Japan's rule.

I agree with your number 1 & number 2 not three because all those who sacrificed their lives were documented by fellow struggle heroes so they don't get erased in history.

I believe the author wrote the book to remind us of the forgotten Korean Upper class (yangban). In this book's case, the elite young men in society that died for their country. Generally, however, I believe its the forgotten Korean upper class whose story has vanished from history along with its heroes

I thought that the vanished was referring to Embon but now I can see it was probably referring to elements of the culture, history or society of Korea

It was in the description and it confused me. You're probably right about all those things in the list, and I just didn't know how to process the fact that their story ends there because there's nothing else to be passed down other than this. It's just starting to sink in now... and it's making me angry.

Book Lover Jack wrote: ↑10 Jan 2021, 16:02 I believe the author wrote the book to remind us of the forgotten Korean Upper class (yangban). In this book's case, the elite young men in society that died for their country. Generally, however, I believe its the forgotten Korean upper class whose story has vanished from history along with its heroes

I agree with you on this. It is sad what happened to Korean upper class but such things have happened (and are still happening) throughout human history.

I would also vote for the number 1 in @cristinaro ’s list. Maybe there’s a bit of both, somehow they go hand in hand. Whatever the case is, this is a clever title!

I think the vanished refers to the Korean aristocracy and their titles. The culture likes to go do genealogy as a pastime and try to keep very good records of their ancestors. It could also refer to all of the people who died trying to fight for the Koreans. In this book we know what happens to our characters but not everyone would have been found. The title kind of reminds me of the title Gone With the Wind. When Japan took over, the Korean's civilization was forever changed and never to return to the exact origional state it had been prior, therefore their culture as they knew it vanished in their lifetime.

I feel its about the gradual disappearance of Korean culture and way of living under Japanese domination. It gives a forlorn air to the slow death of century old tradition as a result of the Japanese occupation.

I think that the first and second meanings you wrote resonate best with me, as I felt that the author was giving a voice through the book to the Korean people and the minorities of the time, showing their emotions and their hardships.

Your second point aptly captures what the title of the book meant to me. I took it to mean the silencing of the voice of the marginalized (especially women). I found it outstanding the only person the author gave the privilege to narrate the story from their perspective was a woman, hence giving her a voice.

This question was really churning in the back of my mind, but the way you've portrayed the points, I'm very much amused and grateful to you for this. I had the first point in mind but your explanation sounds much better than mine!!

I tried to make relevance to the title while writing about the lines while the book was nominated BOTD, on 1st Jan. I feel the story is all about old Korea emerged into a new country. Then the traditional culture had seen fading away as the Japanese ruled their land. So the relevance I can make for the title is to the gradual disappearance of the traditional Korean.

I agree more with the first. In the book, we gradually see Korea losing their relevance and cultural dignity due to the Japanese occupation of their land. It's safe to say that their values vanished as a result.