An Empire for Rubber Balls Summary and Analysis

The boy's mother has a "hectic morning routine" to prepare five breakfasts. Father eats early to go to the orchard before the boy and his second-grade sister eat. Grandparents eat next, followed by his three-year-old sister and new baby brother. Finally, mother and two young maids eat breakfast. The maids are teenage girls from peasant families that mother agreed with their mothers to feed, clothe and house. She teaches them and her second-grade daughter to read and write Korean. There is a war going on between Japan, America and allies and the boy performs in a war drama about the Imperial Crown Prince, who is his age. The boy, who is class leader, must wear a Japanese officer's uniform and give a long speech to celebrate the Crown Prince's birthday. The teacher who...