Chang-Rae Lee’s novel, “On Such A Full Sea”, explores social trends in a dystopian future America. Utilizing a first-person plural narrator, Lee documents the journey of the teenaged protagonist: Fan. Lee uses this fantasy world as a medium for the expression of concerns about the state of affairs in the modern world. As a result, the characters and establishments encountered by Fan appear remarkably realistic. These features reinforce Lee’s arguments regarding social class, wealth and human nature.
Lee’s writing clearly captures the collective voice of B-Mor society as its values and passions develop throughout the novel. Frequent shifts of focus from Fan’s journey reveal the transformation occurring within B-Mor in the wake of Fan’s departure. In one such diversion, the narrator describes the doubt and apprehension that confine B-Mor residents: “”Maybe Charters can […] in the dirt”(14, Lee).
Working-class B-Mor citizens have accepted a sense of complacence, adopting ambitionless lives of labour. While the narrative suggest that B-Mor citizens are primarily controlled by their fear of the unknown, the narrator reveals a subconscious understanding that the “insurmountable” walls and protective routines that safeguard the residents, simultaneously cage them. This understanding will evolve, following Fan’s egress from B-Mor. The Narrator becomes increasingly self-aware, eventually questioning the very purpose and existence of B-Mor: “It’s irrational […] as a mirage.”(309).
This self-awareness awakes residents to the reality of their suppression: sparking a number of protests and demonstrations. Ultimately daily life returns to normalcy in B-Mor, however Fan’s tale has made a lasting impact on certain individuals within her society and shaken many others. The relapse of B-Mor stands testament to the systematic method, built by the aristocratic Charters and B-Mors themselves, for its domination. The society crafted in Lee’s dystopia offers a cautionary tale for those who would allow corporations and the wealthy to call the shots.
From the outset of his novel, Lee points to fear as the chief motivation for complacence.
The pattern of thought exhibited on page fourteen could easily be attributed to a modern middle- class worker, struggling against the multiple constraints of a manipulative system. Use of the word “precarious” in the second quote suggests that Fan’s challenge has exposed the choice presented to B-Mor, and the reader: Whether to accept the bonds of society or to face the unknown and lead an individual life. Lee allows readers to identify with the disparity in wealth and power portrayed in the novel and see that the latter option is always accessible.
These quotes reflect the profound inspiration Fan’s story has had on B-Mor. Rather than prizing safety before happiness, Fan risked all and managed to break out of a meaningless existence. Fear remains a significant motivation by the end of the novel, however it has been accompanied by a newfound enlightenment. Rather than fearing a change in the status quo, B-Mors have begun to question the legitimacy of their sheltered lives. This nagging unease will haunt the narrator, at least until the next distraction comes along.
Lee’s use of a first person narrator, representative of society’s opinions, brings authenticity to Lee’s arguments by granting the population a single voice. As societal opinions shift, the narrator’s unique and central viewpoint presents an extraordinary look at the inner workings of a community in flux.
