Chapters 9-11 Summary

Henry comes to see that Kwang feels that his staff and supporters are part of his family. Yet while Kwang accepts Henry into this extended family, Henry collects information to send back to Dennis Hoagland. He begins to feel sorry about this.

Kwang gives a speech about the tension between the Korean American and African American communities. He calls for trust and respect between the communities. After the speech, someone sets off smoke bombs, and the scene dissolves into chaos.

Henry and his co-worker Jack Kalantzakos meet, and Jack gives Henry marriage advice. Jack also tells him that his reports on Kwang need to be more consistent. Jack encourages him, as a friend, to give Hoagland what he needs—concrete information on Kwang—and then find a new career.

One Friday after work, Kwang and Henry drive through a street of Korean-owned shops. Kwang sees a Korean man arguing with an African American customer, who is demanding a refund. Kwang intervenes in the argument and convinces the shopkeeper to exchange the watch. Henry recalls his father’s low opinion of African American customers. As they drive off, Henry sees the shopkeeper angrily shaking his fists as he stocks display shelves.

Chapters 9-11 Analysis

Henry’s position as a spy has become deeply uncomfortable because the target is someone he identifies with and admires. Kwang’s attitude that the staff is family makes Henry feel worse. Kwang, who is paternal, is becoming a father figure to Henry, making it harder for him to harm Kwang. Jack, observing him for the company, is concerned that Henry has lost his objectivity.

The racial tension between the African American and Korean American communities is an important aspect of the Kwang campaign. Despite the message of mutual respect that Kwang sends in his speech, it is clear that words alone will not heal the divide. The smoke bombs and ensuing chaos are evidence that the conflict is barely contained.

Even more telling is the episode between the Korean shopkeeper and the African American customer. The shopkeeper gives in to a display of anger clearly visible to Kwang and Henry as they drive away. Henry notes that according to Korean cultural norms, the shopkeeper should have waited until they were fully gone before showing his emotions. Henry’s memories of his father’s dislike for African Americans are a reminder that these prejudices are deep and long-standing. Author Chang-rae Lee will reveal that these immigrants feel a sense of alienation African Americans do not. America is a “black-and-white world,” Henry will say later. In a sense, African Americans are native speakers; they feel freer to be themselves than immigrants do yet suffer all manner of indignities in their lives.