Symbolism, Setting, and Objects from Year of Impossible Goodbyes

Object Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major objects in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Objects

Kirimni, Pyongyang, Korea - This is where Sookan and her family live.

Thirty-Eighth Parallel - This is where North Korea and South Korea are divided.

Grandfather's Pine Tree - This is the only pretty thing left in Sookan's yard.

The Communist Party - This is something that Sookan's family pretends to love.

Japanese Occupation of Korea - At the beginning of "Year of Impossible Goodbyes," this has been happening for thirty years.

Mother's Hairpin - This is the only remaining family heirloom.

The Sock Factory - This is the family business.

The Little...
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