(4) Clay Walls

I feel as though the meaning of Kim Ronyoung’s, Clay Walls, might have something to do with hanging on to something solely for its sake of one’s identity despite the possibility of it being dated or of less use. During Faye and Haesu’s life, they were both confronted by the loss of a type of clay wall. The clay wall is that thing that becomes of less physical importance in one’s life but is, nevertheless, important because of its symbolism to who you are and where you came from.

The manifestation of a kind of loss of identity occurred to both Haesu and her daughter in similar scenarios. Faye observed her mother selling her father’s things during the time she was around ten years old. She was old enough to understand which things she identified with in her past. She missed them because they were a part of her history and were tokens of where she had come from. Just like the things Faye associated her father with, Haesu associated her origin with the clay walls at her mother’s house. The clay walls were outdated in their utility by the modern western style of using wood.

The clay wall in certain societies might seem outdated because it cracks and is harder to build and repair when compared to wood. However, during times of hardship like moving countries or moving houses there is an importance of keeping one’s identity.