미국이주 한국인들의 디아스포라적 상상력― 이창래의 『네이티브 스피커』

Abstract

This paper studies Native Speaker in the point of diasporic imagination. I am concerned with both the traditional narrow sense of diaspora limited in the same ethnic group and the recent broad sense of diaspora enlarged to interracial formation. I examine how the traditional diaspora based on the same ethnic group’s affiliation consciousness from the common sufferings and bitter memories helps the Korean Americans to settle in America. Through the life of Henry’s father I examine what the positives and limitations of the traditional diasporic way of life are. Henry erases Korean heritage and takes assimilist way of life in reaction against his father’s strictly limited personal life without public sphere. My analysis of Henry shows the problems of life which only remains in assimilation and the dangerous potentials of life without nationalism or loyalties to something beyond. From these problems I intend to imagine what kind of diasporic identity can be a desirable index to guide us in the present Globalization Age. Native Speaker is very suitable work seen from diaspora viewpoint. The flame of national identity is narrow to explore the recognition of Henry who alternatively reports father and John Kwang’s lives. Rather diaspora viewpoint can illuminate Henry’s recognition of identification with migrant and immigrants across the various ethnics. But giving too much hope on the liberating force of diaspora is warned. It is Immigration and Naturalization Service that thwarts John Kwang who is embracing and practicing the most inclusive and progressive concept of diaspora. John Kwang’s breakdown shows the still immense power of nation on the formation of individual’s identity even in transnational situation. The relation between diaspora and the residence nation is creative tension one. The diasporic subjects have so much deep affiliation to the Home that they cannot have the single attitude of assimilation to the residence nation. At the same time diaspora is not the consciousness to feel liberation with insisting that there is no nation, and that they want no integration with the residence nation. Diasporic subjects are accepting migration as inevitable present condition and trying “making Home” in residence nation. And diasporic subjects are accepting multi-ethnicities as evolving present condition and trying “making neighborhood” across ethnics. Therefore diaspora is a tentative plan which is developing the potentials.