Summary

In Chapter 21, Janie returns to Korea to find that her father’s health is now rapidly deteriorating, to the point where he is essentially bedridden and non-verbal. Janie reads him aloud a book that he had used to read to her when she was a child, which is an emotional moment for her. Janie’s mother lies to her own mother about the extent to which Janie’s father is sick. Janie’s aunt comes to the hospital room to yet again start an argument about Christianity. This time, however, Janie’s mother offers that Janie’s aunt can sing hymns to Janie’s father in his bed. The doctor is yet again rude as he delivers a mostly grim prognosis, and Janie’s mother begins to lecture him about his rudeness.

In Chapter 22, the family moves Janie’s father from the hospital...