November 26, 2002

Dear Ms. Namioka,

I have read your book, Ties that Break Ties that Bind, a beautiful story. I learned that you have to choose what kind of life you want to have. It told me to be brave in spirit and to take risks, because the greatest risk is not to take one.

Ailin Tao, the true heroine of this story showed all of these characteristics. She just couldn't follow the painful, ancient Chinese tradition to get her feet bound. A part of her nature would be lost. You cannot change a person's nature. That would be like chaining a beast from the wild.

Even though Ailin wasn't a “perfect young lady”, she was a great woman, because she followed her heart, and that was the most important thing of all.

I learned a lot about courage, bravery, love, and life. You have to earn a place in society; it cannot be given to you. Ailin's sisters had only one choice in life: to bind their feet, get married, and to raise a big family. Ailin dared to make a change. She stood up for herself and opened up new possibilities of life.

Having read this book, I have a few questions to ask myself. Would I stand up for my rights? Would I do the backbreaking work that Ailin had to do to earn a place of my own?

In order to answer these questions, I would have to live my life to its fullest and find out by following my heart.

Sincerely,
Kyoo-Eun
Jang