Play represents Asia - Assignment Example

This paper will argue that the play Bicycle by O Tae-sok provides the audience with a unique image of Korea that consists of a number of unusual as well as traditional elements. To begin with, one should define the concept of representation of Asia. It would not be a mistake to point out that this region is extremely vast an diverse; so, a detailed explanation is needed. This particular play represents Korea: a country which has retained some of its traditional ways of life, but has been following a socially accepted paradigm of development for a long time.

Indeed, the piece of art in question might be viewed as a metaphor reflection into the past (Lee 211). In addition to that, the historical accuracy is what really makes this play moving (O 4). Thus, one is able to conclude that representation of a particular part of Asia is based on two elements: depiction of traditional elements of culture as well as representation of aspects of social order. The uniqueness of topic that will be discussed is apparent from the very first lines of the play: it puts great emphasis on the notion of duty in the Korean society.

There are several examples that might prove it. Thus, the main character has a relative who have survived a horrible fire and considers himself to be guilty of his luck. However, unlike Europeans who would celebrate this, every year he cuts his face, reminding himself that his compatriots died at the hands of the enemy, but he survived. A similar focus on the social duty is seen later in the text when the main character confesses turning in his friend to police because he practiced medicine without license and had almost no knowledge about the topic.

The dichotomy between friendship and duty is easily resolved in the Asian society in favor of the latter. Another point which shows a peculiar world of Asia focuses on the important place that is occupied by the bureaucrats in the society. To begin with, one should note