Does assimilation into American culture occur easily for immigrants or individuals whose parents were born abroad? As the characters in Chang Rae Lee's novel Native Speaker demonstrate, adjusting to the Western world is very difficult and often results in feelings of alienation and shame. The narrator, Henry Park, a Korean American experiencing an identity crisis, reveals the resentment he feels towards his parents who renounce their Korean roots in an attempt to achieve the typical American dream. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Throughout the novel, Henry Park's attitude is critical, frequently finding fault with others. Unlike both of his parents who lack pride in their Korean heritage and instead attempt to blend in among Americans, Henry personally resides more in a territory of uncertainty, unsure of his classification as Korean or American. It is for this reason that Henry comments: I remember thinking to her: What is she afraid of, what could be so bad that we had to be so careful about what people thought of us, as if we had to delicately chew our aching feet through our bodies. immaculate neighborhood, we the silent partners of the wasps and the neighboring Jews, never meeting them except with a smile, as if everything was always fine with us, in our great imposture of decorum, as if nothing could touch us or arouse anger or sadness. us (52). He openly questions his mother's hesitation and shame associated with her Korean background when he says, "I remember thinking about her: what is she afraid of, what could be so serious? (52). The partial italics of Henry's scrutiny profoundly illustrates the stigma Ms. Park feels associated with her status as a Korean-American immigrant. Lee's sparing use of italics dramatizes his embarrassment and enhances the moment of the work. Henry's reference to his family's life as a "great imposture of propriety" speaks largely to his objections to the façade his family put up after immigrating. The extent to which the Park family goes to gain acceptance, such as hiding all negative emotions and asking Henry to "show them how well [he] speaks English, to demonstrate it", clearly shows the difficulties that accompany assimilation. in American culture (53). The Parks maintain the status of strangers in their neighborhood. Due to Park's pride coupled with her independence and lack of dependence on others, Mrs. Park would interrupt cooking mid-recipe rather than borrow the necessary ingredients. “My mother…would gladly spoil a birthday cake rather than have the slightest shame in asking her next neighbor and friend for the egg she needed, the child's pinch of baking powder” (52). Even such a small, inconsequential thing shames him. By sharing this memory of his mother from the past, Henry allows the reader to better understand the struggles his family endured in the United States, where they were considered complete strangers despite their attempts to abandon all ties to Korea. Henry's critical tone illustrates his disapproval of his parents' complete loss of Korean identity, despite being born there, following their move to North America. After moving to the United States and devoting himself entirely to pursuing the American dream, Henry's father's life did not change. revolves only around money but also around the exploitation of its workers for its.