Haley Hopkins Ms.

Nichole Wilson AP Literature and Composition 28 April 2014 Research Paper Outline Topic: The authors treatment of the development of human identity, including gender, race, ethnic background, social class, cultural background, nationality, and historical context. Proposal: The Evolution of John Doe: Developing an Identity in North Korea In this paper, I want to examine the development of the identity of Jun Do as he evolves from a John Doe to Commander Ga. This novel is set in North Korea, where it quickly becomes apparent that peoples identities are subordinate to the roles the state expects them to fulfill (Kakutani). It is nearly impossible for someone to form an identity under the eye of Kim Jong II. Jun Do begins as a nobody, lumped into one of many groups with the label orphan slapped on them although he refuses to believe he is one. As the novel progresses, he slowly develops an identity for himself as some of his abilities besides combat and other, violent skills - become apparent, such as translation from English and creating radios. Come the second half of the book, the once lonely Jun Doe has assumed the role of Commander Ga a military leader standing in opposition of Kim Jong II and fallen in love with Sun Moon, famous actress and wife of the real Commander Ga. What is most unique about The Orphan Masters Son is Johnsons ability to develop Jun Dos Identity the most when Jun Do is assuming the role of another man. As Kakutani notes, By the books end he [Jun Do] has grown from a sort of generic Everyman a faceless representative of the indignities a citizen in North Korea might be subject to into a full-fledged individual for whom the reader roots and grieves. Johnson is able to develop the eventual identity of Jun Do by incorporating multiple perspectives throughout the novel, each shedding new light on the ruthlessness of Kim Jong II and the general horrors of North Korea.

Preliminary Bibliography: Allen, John Tyler. "The Orphan Master's Son, Adam Johnson." World Literature Today. 2012: n. page. Print. <http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/2012/september/orphan-masters-son-adam-johnson>. DeHart, Jonathan. "Pulitzer Prize Winner "The Orphan Master's Son" Peers into North Korea's Heart." Diplomat. 18 4 2013: n. page. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. <pulitzer-winner-the-orphan-masters-son-peers-intonorth-koreas-heart>.

Ignatius, David. "'The Orphan Master's Son' an audacious, believable tale." Washington Post. 2013: n. page. Web. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/book-review-the-orphan-mastersson-by-david-ignatius/2012/01/02/gIQAIZWZmP_story.html>. Kakutani, Michico. "A North Korean Soldier Finds His 'Casablanca'." New York Times. 12 1 2012: n. page. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/books/the-orphan-masters-son-by-adamjohnson-review.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>. Krist, Gary. "If It's' Not One Thing, It's Another." New York Times. 24 8 2003: n. page. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/24/books/if-it-s-not-one-thing-it-s-another.html>. Leone, Michael. "Parasites Like Us." Bookreporter. 22 1 2011: n. page. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. <http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/parasites-like-us>. Mason, Wyatt. "Dear Reader: A Novel of life in North Korea." New Yorker. 6 2 2012: n. page. Web. 11 Apr. 2014. <http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2012/02/06/120206crbo_books_mason>. Miller, Michael. "30 Books: Michael Miller on Adam Johnson's "The Orphan Master's Son"." National Book Critics Circle. (2013): n. page. Web. <http://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/30-books-michael-milleron-adam-johnsons-the-orphan-masters-son>.