A Pearl Life

A Pearl Life

“Difficult times can make you rich and strong.” (Sook, Page 145) Oysters went through painful processes, then get beautiful pearls. In the book, Gathering of Pearls, the main character, Sookan has a great mother who told her this story to encourage her work hard and overcome bad time. In the cover, a girl with a black dress is gathering pearls on the floor. She is kneeling on the floor and keeping her head down; few plum blossoms are around her. This girl is Sookan, and she wears a black dress which is made by her mother. Once she got a necklace from her teacher; she broke it, so she is gathering the pearls. Sookan seems to be stuck in the black room, gathering pearls that have fallen; this image suggests that she has a sad life. However actually she gets her friends' and mother's love to support her, just like the beautiful flowers that surround her, and therefore she can fix the pearl necklace, which represents her future. 

First, these pearls represent difficulties, and a beautiful necklace means a great future. Like the cover says, Sookan's life is difficult, but it is a necessary part of her life. In this book, Sookan has numerous troubles or problems in her first year in America, such as language problem or cultural differences. For example, at first, Sookan takes some douses which are too difficult to her, such as world literature, world religious and early Europe history. However she works extremely hard; still, she cannot get fantastic grades. Once she even fainted in the bathroom on an early morning, because she stays up to study for the test. Also, she spends all her time on studying or working to remain scholarship, so Sookan even does not have time to choose an art class which she likes. However, she seems like suffering a lot, but this is good for her, which means she takes high-level classes to learn some more professional knowledge. If she wants a perfect life, she must go through the hard time and overcome these difficulties. If she wants to get a beautiful pearl necklace, she must gather the pearls and thread them. After overcoming these problems and gathering all the pearls, Sookan gets a good life and a beautiful necklace. Sookan is in a hard time, but the only way to getting through these troubles is facing them. Like her mother says in the letter: ”Your life has been hard, and you have come through all those difficult times enriched with enormous wisdom for someone so young”. (Sook, page 145) Thus, Sookan's bad life is just a while, there is a beautiful life or necklace waiting for her. 

Although Sookan is going through a hard time, she still gets encouragement or help from her family and friends. In the cover, there are several plum blossoms which makes the cover colorful. Like the flowers, friends’ and family’s help and support bring Sookan’s life more happiness. For instance, Sookan has two good friends, Ellen and Marci. No matter what happens, they are always on Sookan’s side and help her. When Sookan is confused about whether she should obey her sister or choose her own way, Ellen and Marci give her advice which can really help her out. Ellen told Sookan that: “You can be married , have a family, and still be a teacher, or a social worker, or a volunteer if you want. You don't have to be a nun to help others.” (Sook, page 59) Actually, those words change Sookan’s life. Sookan used to think she should obey her sister blindly and go back to Korea after graduating, but she then realizes that she should follow her heart. At last, she stays in America. Two of Sookan’s friends are like the most evergreen blossoms in her life; they always be with her and give her right direction. Also, Sookan’s mother always supports Sookan as much as possible. She cares about Sookan all the time. She knows she is dying, so she writes her last letter to Sookan and asks her son to send this letter after she dies, because she hope Sookan can focus on her study. She encourages Sookan to be strong and not to be sad for her death. She is like the most bright blossom in Sookan’s life; she guides Sookan to step out of darkness every time. These blossoms, her friends and family give Sookan much help, they are like lamps which help Sookan find her way in the dark. 

In conclusion, Sookan goes through hard times; however, she feels much pain, but she knows difficulties can make her strong. Moreover, there are still some people who support her to overcome difficulties and get a wonderful life. They are almost the most colorful blossoms in Sookan’s life. Overall, Sookan must have a pearl life. 

Citation:

Choi, Sook Nyul., and Sook Nyul. Choi. Gathering of Pearls. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1994. Print.