Do you think that the signs or "palza" that prevailed during Embon's birth affected him later in life?
- Josephe-Anne
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 1254
- Joined: 15 Jul 2019, 13:55
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 489
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-josephe-anne.html
- Latest Review: Niching Up by Chris Dreyer
Re: Do you think that the signs or "palza" that prevailed during Embon's birth affected him later in life?
― Horace Mann
- lavkathleen
- Posts: 776
- Joined: 23 Apr 2020, 07:38
- Currently Reading: Weeper
- Bookshelf Size: 46
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lavkathleen.html
- Latest Review: Spellbound - The Workings of Drugtech by Marcel Sahade
Because of the lack of certificates? Isn't that a little low? He was an exceptional student who was able to advance to higher levels despite his young age. He was an intellectual and compassionate person who joined the independence movement to fight for the freedom of his country. No certificate is enough to prove his potential.Josephe-Anne wrote: ↑27 Jan 2021, 13:44 The strange thing about Embon is that he was an ace student who ended up without any certificates to back it up. Because of this, it can be argued that he did not live up to his full potential.
(For the record, though, if there's anyone deserving of school certificates, it should be students like Embon who were able to advance that fast and early. Just because you "didn't finish" shouldn't mean that you don't get a certificate. They're advancing for a reason!)
pronouns: she/they
“Don't worry, honey. I'll keep the home fires burning.” — Gideon Nav, Harrow the Ninth (Tamsyn Muir)
- lavkathleen
- Posts: 776
- Joined: 23 Apr 2020, 07:38
- Currently Reading: Weeper
- Bookshelf Size: 46
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lavkathleen.html
- Latest Review: Spellbound - The Workings of Drugtech by Marcel Sahade
Did he? He mentioned his mom and her belief in his palza to his friends once, but I can't remember a part where he seemed to believe in it, too. His decision to become a freedom fighter was a result of the influence of his studies abroad and the friends he met there, not his palza. I wouldn't say that this was a failure, either.
pronouns: she/they
“Don't worry, honey. I'll keep the home fires burning.” — Gideon Nav, Harrow the Ninth (Tamsyn Muir)
- Josephe-Anne
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 1254
- Joined: 15 Jul 2019, 13:55
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 489
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-josephe-anne.html
- Latest Review: Niching Up by Chris Dreyer
While I agree with your rationale, employers look at your resume and they won't know your backstory that you were an ace student without the certificates to back it up. Often, they don't even give you a chance to prove yourself without the certificates. And many people (in the general public) like to see that you have a degree to take you seriously. I'm not saying it's right or fair, but that's what I've observed - in my personal experience.lavkathleen wrote: ↑29 Jan 2021, 04:11
Because of the lack of certificates? Isn't that a little low? He was an exceptional student who was able to advance to higher levels despite his young age. He was an intellectual and compassionate person who joined the independence movement to fight for the freedom of his country. No certificate is enough to prove his potential.
(For the record, though, if there's anyone deserving of school certificates, it should be students like Embon who were able to advance that fast and early. Just because you "didn't finish" shouldn't mean that you don't get a certificate. They're advancing for a reason!)
― Horace Mann
- Ahbed Nadir
- Posts: 306
- Joined: 14 Nov 2020, 02:33
- Currently Reading: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess
- Bookshelf Size: 51
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ahbed-nadir.html
- Latest Review: There's Always Tomorrow by Jim Carr
Yeah, I can get behind this. I think in this sort of situation, these omens were sort of self fulfilling. Embon believed wholly in these omens as did his mother and as such they effectively shaped the way he approached anything in life leading him to almost always fail. When he believed in himself and worked for his goal he found himself capable of quite a lot despite the so-called omens.Sou Hi wrote: ↑11 Jan 2021, 04:35 I think the omens are half-right. Embon had a pampered childhood and a successful school life. Even in Japan, he achieved quite a lot of knowledge and comrades. However, after the turning point where he was forced to go back to Korea, he lost his will and became a shell of himself. This was where the omen came true, as what he had after that was given to him and not things he obtained by his own hands. The author did a good job portraying this. In my opinion, whether Embon is an underachiever depends on himself. As long as he has a goal, he will have a productive life.
- Ahbed Nadir
- Posts: 306
- Joined: 14 Nov 2020, 02:33
- Currently Reading: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess
- Bookshelf Size: 51
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ahbed-nadir.html
- Latest Review: There's Always Tomorrow by Jim Carr
- Sou Hi
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: 07 Sep 2019, 09:06
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 154
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sou-hi.html
- Latest Review: Project Tau by Jude Austin
Yes, I believe the omens are like prejudges. If Embon succumbs to them, he will lose his spirit and become miserable as the omens predicted. But if he is able to forget them and listen to his heart, he will overcome the hardships and be successful. It's the mindset that will decide.Ahbed Nadir wrote: ↑29 Jan 2021, 15:32Yeah, I can get behind this. I think in this sort of situation, these omens were sort of self fulfilling. Embon believed wholly in these omens as did his mother and as such they effectively shaped the way he approached anything in life leading him to almost always fail. When he believed in himself and worked for his goal he found himself capable of quite a lot despite the so-called omens.Sou Hi wrote: ↑11 Jan 2021, 04:35 I think the omens are half-right. Embon had a pampered childhood and a successful school life. Even in Japan, he achieved quite a lot of knowledge and comrades. However, after the turning point where he was forced to go back to Korea, he lost his will and became a shell of himself. This was where the omen came true, as what he had after that was given to him and not things he obtained by his own hands. The author did a good job portraying this. In my opinion, whether Embon is an underachiever depends on himself. As long as he has a goal, he will have a productive life.
- Harty Muli
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 2007
- Joined: 28 May 2020, 09:21
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 273
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-harty-muli.html
- Latest Review: I Have Proof of a Higher Power by Ioan Dirina
This fact made me think perhaps the author has plans for a sequel. I couldn't help thinking there was more to Embon's story.
- Harty Muli
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 2007
- Joined: 28 May 2020, 09:21
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 273
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-harty-muli.html
- Latest Review: I Have Proof of a Higher Power by Ioan Dirina
I agree. I liked how the author used this fact and other aspects of Korean culture to illustrate Embon's destiny.Devalsodha wrote: ↑16 Jan 2021, 14:17 Yes, in my opinion Embon's life is very much affected by the palza of his birth time. The author has done a great job to portray Embon's life and his underachievements.
- Harty Muli
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 2007
- Joined: 28 May 2020, 09:21
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 273
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-harty-muli.html
- Latest Review: I Have Proof of a Higher Power by Ioan Dirina
Certainly rats have some positive traits as you've rightly observed. Also sometimes I thought he was overwhelmed by the fact that he was a genius.MsH2k wrote: ↑20 Jan 2021, 20:46 My son and I were born in the Year of the Rat. I remember my friends telling me that rats were survivors.
I am conflicted with the balance of destiny and free will. I do not perceive Embon as an underachiever—late bloomer, maybe—but not underachiever. He just had to find his passion. Although other people may be hurt by his decisions, he must define his success.
- Ahbed Nadir
- Posts: 306
- Joined: 14 Nov 2020, 02:33
- Currently Reading: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess
- Bookshelf Size: 51
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ahbed-nadir.html
- Latest Review: There's Always Tomorrow by Jim Carr
You're very right. Its the mindset that will decide. I do hope the author writes a sequel showing Embon's continued growth.Sou Hi wrote: ↑30 Jan 2021, 03:25Yes, I believe the omens are like prejudges. If Embon succumbs to them, he will lose his spirit and become miserable as the omens predicted. But if he is able to forget them and listen to his heart, he will overcome the hardships and be successful. It's the mindset that will decide.Ahbed Nadir wrote: ↑29 Jan 2021, 15:32Yeah, I can get behind this. I think in this sort of situation, these omens were sort of self fulfilling. Embon believed wholly in these omens as did his mother and as such they effectively shaped the way he approached anything in life leading him to almost always fail. When he believed in himself and worked for his goal he found himself capable of quite a lot despite the so-called omens.Sou Hi wrote: ↑11 Jan 2021, 04:35 I think the omens are half-right. Embon had a pampered childhood and a successful school life. Even in Japan, he achieved quite a lot of knowledge and comrades. However, after the turning point where he was forced to go back to Korea, he lost his will and became a shell of himself. This was where the omen came true, as what he had after that was given to him and not things he obtained by his own hands. The author did a good job portraying this. In my opinion, whether Embon is an underachiever depends on himself. As long as he has a goal, he will have a productive life.
-
- Posts: 32
- Joined: 10 Nov 2020, 14:04
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 8
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-albaou-amira.html
- Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
- Sushan Ekanayake
- Official Reviewer Representative
- Posts: 4858
- Joined: 04 May 2018, 19:13
- Currently Reading: Uplifting The Pain of Behavioral and Learning Styles Through Poetry Now
- Bookshelf Size: 408
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sushan-ekanayake.html
- Latest Review: Unsettled Disruption by Juana Catalina Rodriguez
- Reading Device: B0794JC2K5
- Sushan Ekanayake
- Official Reviewer Representative
- Posts: 4858
- Joined: 04 May 2018, 19:13
- Currently Reading: Uplifting The Pain of Behavioral and Learning Styles Through Poetry Now
- Bookshelf Size: 408
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sushan-ekanayake.html
- Latest Review: Unsettled Disruption by Juana Catalina Rodriguez
- Reading Device: B0794JC2K5
I agree with that societal acceptance part. The society into which Embon was born, those signs meant a lot. So those signs saying that he will be an underachiever was heavily impacted into the minds of the elders. So, throughout his childhood he was seen as such and they did not even tried to change that fact, just because his fate was already decided by the signs that occurred at his birth
- Brownbrit
- Posts: 12
- Joined: 17 Jan 2021, 11:32
- Favorite Book: The Red Tent
- Currently Reading: Big Debt Crises
- Bookshelf Size: 115