Question

Kays lucky coin variety; The novel is about a Korean family in the 1980s who immigrated to Toronto in the 1970s. Where do they settle in Toronto and how do they make their living? Explain how this is typical of Korean immigrants at that time. Refer to 2 statements made by Mary’s mother that explain why the family came to Canada?

Answer 1

Hello Student

Thanks for this question.

Must say this is a very interesting novel written by Ann Y.K. Choi. This book depicts the dreams of a Korean Family in the 1970s, who settle in Canada and go about with their Challenging Journey of life.

Where do they settle in Toronto and how do they make their living?

They settled at Queen Street in Downtown Toronto, which was west of Bathurst Street. Bathurst Street, a corner famous with homeless prostitutes. Mary’s Family (Main character) had owned a convenience store, which was below their Apartment, where they use to stay in a two-story building. Their store was dealing with staple items which they used to sell – for example – Milk, bread and local newspapers. Additionally, they use to also cater to the selling of Cigarettes and Condoms, which was their top-selling items. So in this manner, by owning a small scale store, the Korean Family made their living.

Explain how this is typical of Korean immigrants at that time.

Answer – Owning a variety store (Convenience store) in the 1970s was very typical especially for Koreans, because most of them were run by the Korean Immigrant family members only. This is a proven fact and it was also been recorded in KBA (Korean Businessman’s association) by Korea Times newspaper.

Refer to 2 statements made by Mary’s mother that explain why the family came to Canada?

Answer- Mary’s mother uses to complain a lot about her sickness and also the way they had to do much slogging to sell items in their store. She also states that they had to sell many packs of cigarettes, milk cartons and a ton of newspapers for their Survival. She would express her resentment and dislike to work sixteen hours a day and as many would think she was stupid due to her inability to speak English. But She had many academic expectations from her daughter Mary, for her higher studies and also they were working day and night to pay for her university degree. So this suggests that Mary’s parents had a lot of expectations and dreams for her and their siblings, and that’s the reason they had ended up coming to Canada to fulfill their dreams.

I Hope I could resolve your questions in regards to Kays lucky coin variety Novel by Ann K.Y.Choi