8. to부정사의 의미상의 주어

Crying in H Mart 텍스트 활용

8

작년에 읽은 미셀 자우너의 <Crying in H Mart>를 학생들에게 소개했다. 지금 아이들과 to부정사의 의미상의 주어를 배우고 있는데, 이 책 이야기를 하면서 문법을 가르치면 좋겠다는 생각이 든다. 미셀 자우너는 한국계 미국인으로서의 복잡한 정체성을 탐구한다. 그녀의 어머니가 사랑을 표현하는 방식은 말이나 포옹보다 음식을 통해서였다. 미셀이 자신의 뿌리에 반항하던 시기에도 어머니는 서울 여행과 얼큰한 찌개를 통해 한국인으로서의 유산을 지켜준 것은 현명한 일이었다. 그런데 어머니가 말기 암 진단을 받는다. 젊은 딸이 죽음이라는 현실을 마주하는 일은 매우 고통스러운 일이었다. 어머니의 건강이 악화되면서 자신의 한국인 정체성 마저 흔들릴까봐 두려워하며 고군분투한다. 어머니가 돌아가시고 나서 미셀은 H마트의 복도에서 간식과 반찬들을 보며 깊은 추억에 잠긴다. 익수간 음식을 맛보거나 특정 요리를 하면서 어머니의 존재와 사랑을 느긴다. 이 책을 통해 우리가 자신의 내밀한 이야기를 세상에 드러내고 공유할 수 있는 것은 음식을 통해서임을 다시 한번 느낄 수 있다.

1. text: "Crying in H Mart"

Michelle Zauner’s memoir explores the intricate layers of her identity as a Korean-American. Growing up, it was common for her mother to express love through food rather than through words or hugs. It was wise of her mother to maintain their heritage through trips to Seoul and spicy stews, even when Michelle rebelled against her roots. However, life changes abruptly when her mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer. It is difficult for a young daughter to face such mortality, yet it was brave of Michelle to return home to Oregon to become a full-time caregiver.

As her mother’s health declines, Michelle struggles with the looming loss of her "Korean-ness." It was incredibly thoughtful of her to try and recreate the specific fermented dishes her mother loved, though the process was often heartbreaking. She feels it is important for her to master these recipes to keep her mother’s spirit alive in her kitchen. While the battle with cancer is grueling, it was necessary for the author to witness the raw reality of grief to find a path toward genuine healing. Navigating this pain requires a strength that is often hard to maintain.

After her mother passes, Michelle finds herself weeping in the aisles of H Mart, where the sight of snacks and side dishes triggers profound memories. It was courageous of her to acknowledge that grief is not a linear process but a continuous transformation of love. It is now possible for Michelle to feel her mother’s presence every time she tastes a familiar dish or cooks a specific meal. Ultimately, it was kind of her to share this intimate story, proving that food remains the most powerful bridge between our past and our present.

2. 활동지

Growing up, it was common 1) of/ for her mother to express love through food rather than through words or hugs. It was wise 2) of/ for her mother to maintain their heritage through trips to Seoul and spicy stews, even when Michelle rebelled against her roots. However, life changes abruptly when her mother is diagnosed with terminal cancer. It is difficult 3) of/for a young daughter to face such mortality, yet it was brave 4) of/for Michelle to return home to Oregon to become a full-time caregiver.

As her mother’s health declines, Michelle struggles with the looming loss of her "Korean-ness." It was incredibly thoughtful 5)of/for her to try and recreate the specific fermented dishes her mother loved, though the process was often heartbreaking. She feels it is important 6)of/for her to master these recipes to keep her mother’s spirit alive in her kitchen. While the battle with cancer is grueling, it was necessary 7)of/for the author to witness the raw reality of grief to find a path toward genuine healing. Navigating this pain requires a strength that is often hard to maintain.

After her mother passes, Michelle finds herself weeping in the aisles of H Mart, where the sight of snacks and side dishes triggers profound memories. It was courageous 8)of/for her to acknowledge that grief is not a linear process but a continuous transformation of love. It is now possible 9)of/for Michelle to feel her mother’s presence every time she tastes a familiar dish or cooks a specific meal. Ultimately, it was kind 10)of/for her to share this intimate story, proving that food remains the most powerful bridge between our past and our present.

3) 문법 설명

- to부정사의 의미상의 주어는 「for/of+목적격」 형태로 to부정사 앞에 위치하며 to부정사를 행하는 주체를 나타낸다. 「It+is/was+형용사+for/of+목적격+to부정사 ~.」의 형태로 자주 쓰인다.

- 의미상의 주어 「for+목적격」과 함께 쓰이는 형용사: easy, difficult, hard, possible, impossible, important, dangerous 등

ex) It was impossible for him to set up the tent.

- 의미상의 주어 「of+목적격」과 함께 쓰이는 형용사: brave, kind, careless, polite, foolish, stupid, generous, silly, cruel 등 사람의 성격이나 태도를 나타내는 형용사

It was kind of her to take care of my cat.