The Role of Loss and Survival in The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson (2012)

The Role of Loss and Survival in The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson (2012)

• “

Expanding the Roles:
The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson is a deeply moving and intense exploration of life under the oppressive regime of North Korea. The novel’s central themes of survival, identity, and loss speak to the human experience in the most extreme conditions. Johnson’s intricate storytelling provides literature students with a framework to understand how political regimes impact personal lives and shape individual destinies.

• Survival in an Oppressive System:
  The protagonist, Pak Jun Do, navigates a brutal North Korean society, constantly fighting for survival. The novel is a study of how individuals adapt to, and survive within, oppressive regimes. Students can examine how Johnson uses the character’s journey to explore themes of fear, survival instincts, and resistance in a totalitarian state.

• The Role of Identity in an Authoritarian State:
  The exploration of identity is central to The Orphan Master’s Son. Pak Jun Do’s changing identity throughout the novel is a direct result of the oppressive regime that attempts to erase individualism. Students can learn about how authors use authoritarian settings to examine the loss of personal identity and the struggle to reclaim autonomy in a repressive environment.

What We Learn:
In The Orphan Master’s Son, students learn the importance of setting and historical context in shaping the characters and their struggles. The novel provides valuable lessons in the way authors depict totalitarianism, identity loss, and survival, offering insights into how political landscapes can shape personal narratives.