Year of Impossible Goodbyes-Theme

In the book, Year of Impossible Goodbyes, by Sook Nyul Choi, there are many themes, but in my opinion, pride in their nationality and beliefs and courage are the most important. When Japan invaded Korea, all Koreans were to throw away any Korean teaching books, or any Korean writing material. Instead they were to speak, learn, and write in Japanese. Although anyone who didn't follow this would get punished greatly, Sookan and her siblings would get taught from their grandfather secretly when the guards weren't at their house checking for valuables and Korean books. Sookans mother also always had her belief in God and always believed that the war would end with Japan losing. During the whole time when Japan and Russia took over Korea, Sookan's family always had there hearts to Korea. While Sookan attended the Japanese school, the boys were making sharp bamboo poles while the girls made sharp rocks. The president said that when the white devils come, they will attack them with those items. Then a boy says, "Stop, stop, stop! Don't you know that we will stab you b******s first! We'll help the Americans destroy you all ! You killers!" Although all the other students were gasping, Sookan started clapping for him because of her pride for Korea and the people of Korea. Sookan and her family faced many years of pain and distress, but their pride and courage to the end.