How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
That was a long prayer, she says and turns a page. What did you pray about?
That God would come down and give Apa a spanking, I tell her.
Halmoni holds her Good Book tight with both hands. She whispers, He is the only one who can. (3.15-17)
Hrm… so what kind of God is God supposed to be? On one hand (no pun intended), Halmoni tells Young Ju in an earlier scene that God's heaven is all about "goodness and love," but here Halmoni basically supports Young Ju's hope that God can smack some sense into Apa. So if God is all about "goodness and love," we're guessing a "spanking" constitutes some kind of tough love? Does this add up for you?
Quote #5
I do not understand why Mi Gook is only for Apa and Uhmma and me. God said everyone could go to heaven. Maybe God is a big liar. If Halmoni cannot go to Mi Gook, then I do not want to go. I want to stay at home with Halmoni. (6.6)
All we have to say here is that Mi Gook (or America) is most definitely not heaven, but you knew that already. Also, we can't help but notice the irony… that heaven is easier to get into than Mi Gook.
Quote #6
I am a mountain rabbit bouncing, running. Where am I going? I am going to see Harabugi. And when Halmoni comes, I will ask her if she liked the bus that is called an airplane. In Mi Gook, everyone will be happy and filled with love. I am a mountain rabbit bouncing, running, closing my eyes. Waiting for heaven. (6.27)
Young Ju's completely delusional view of Mi Gook—totally expected from a little kid who's only heard of the pumped-up version of America—is both really sweet and incredibly sad because you just know her excitement won't last once she steps onto American soil. Which is basically the tone of the title and book: a bittersweet feeling.