Analysis of Kim Ronyoung’s Clay Walls

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on June 9, 2026

Clay Walls narrates the story of a Korean immigrant family from about 1920 to 1946 and their struggle to find a place in American society. The novel develops chronologically and is divided into three sections. The first two are narrated from the perspectives of Haesu and her husband, Chun, while the final section is narrated in the first person by their daughter, Faye. Through this structure, Kim presents multiple perspectives on immigration, racism, assimilation, family relationships, and cultural identity against the backdrop of the Japanese occupation of Korea and World War II.

Haesu, the daughter of a yangban (aristocratic) family, serves as the emotional center of the novel. After immigrating to Los Angeles to join her husband, she struggles with poverty, racial discrimination, and the loss of the social status she once enjoyed in Korea. Determined to preserve her cultural heritage, she teaches her children—Harold, John, and Faye—to regard Korea as their true homeland. Active in Korean independence movements, Haesu maintains an idealized vision of Korea until a return visit reveals the harsh realities of Japanese colonial rule and political unrest.

The family’s hopes suffer further setbacks when Chun loses his business opportunities, develops a gambling addiction, and eventually dies in poverty. Haesu is forced to support her family through sewing work, despite her aristocratic upbringing, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination. Her experiences reflect the sacrifices made by many immigrant women attempting to preserve dignity while adapting to difficult circumstances.

The final section, narrated by Faye, explores the challenges faced by second-generation Korean Americans. Unlike her parents, Faye identifies strongly with American culture while remaining aware of her Korean heritage. She experiences racial prejudice during World War II and struggles to balance family expectations with her desire for assimilation. Through Faye’s perspective, the novel examines the complex identity formation of immigrant children who exist between two cultures.

Kim’s straightforward prose and chronological narrative create a nuanced portrait of immigrant life. The novel addresses issues of class, nationalism, racism, gender roles, and cultural preservation while highlighting the diverse experiences within the Korean American community. Particularly memorable is the story of Clara, who attempts to alter her appearance to seem less Asian, illustrating the psychological impact of racial discrimination.

The title metaphor, the clay walls surrounding traditional Korean homes, symbolizes both protection and isolation. These walls represent the immigrant community’s separation from mainstream American society as well as its efforts to preserve cultural traditions. Yet clay walls can be broken down, suggesting the gradual integration of later generations into American life. Through this symbolism, Clay Walls becomes a powerful exploration of immigration, cultural identity, and the enduring tension between assimilation and heritage.

Sources

Kim Ronyoung. Clay Walls. 1986. Reprint, Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1990.

Oh, Sae-o. “‘Precious Possessions Hidden’: A Cultural Background to Ronyoung Kim’s Clay Walls,” MELUS 26, no. 3 (Fall 2001): 31–49.

Phillips, Jane. “We’d Be Rich in Korea: Value and Contingency in Clay Walls by Ronyoung Kim,” MELUS 23, no. 2 (1998): 175–187.

Shin, Duckhee. “Class and Self-Identity in Clay Walls,” MELUS 24, no. 4 (1999): 125–136.

———. “Clay Walls by Ronyoung Kim.” In A Resource Guide to Asian American Literature, edited by Sau-ling Wong and Stephen Sumida, 78–85. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2001.

Yun, Cung-Hei. “Beyond Clay Walls: Korean American Literature.” In Reading the Literatures of Asian America, edited by Amy Ling and Shirley Geok-lin Lim, 79–96. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1992.