The Last Story of Mina Lee

“Sometimes, agreeing to the same lie is what makes a family a family.” 

Miguel talks about his decision not to tell his family that he is gay, even though he is sure that they all know. Characters in the story often conceal information because they think it will harm their loved ones. However, when Margot learns how much her mother didn’t tell her, she wishes she had known more.

“Many of them—with their blue eyes and tall noses—appeared intrinsically attractive because even white people who weren’t supermodels were at least white.” 

Margot views whiteness and Americanness as more attractive and valuable than her Korean complexion and heritage. As a child, she watches TV programs and wishes that she could be more American, but what she is thinking is that she wants to be white and rich. Her mother will believe that she is finally American once she has a gun.

“Movement for her mother was essentially an experience of loss that Margot, American-born, could never imagine.” 

Mina has no memories of movement that don’t connote sadness and loss. The war forced her to move away from her parents. Moving to America resulted in new heartbreaks. Her trip to Las Vegas ends in disappointment. Even her trip to the Grand Canyon is bittersweet, given Mr. Kim’s cancer. When Margot moves to Los Angeles, it is an adventure and an opportunity. She will never have to know what it means to be displaced from her country.