The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

Discuss the incorporation of Korean mythology into the novel’s overall structure and world-building. How does the author use mythological elements such as the Imugi and the Red String of Fate to enrich the story’s cultural depth?

Examine Mina’s spiritual transformation throughout the novel. How does her character’s evolution reflect the novel’s broader themes of empowerment, sacrifice, and self-discovery?

Evaluate the narrative structure of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea and explain how the use of storytelling within the story (e.g., Mina telling stories to the Sea God) reflects at least two of the novel’s major themes.

Analyze Oh’s portrayal of the Spirit Realm and explain how its depiction serves as a backdrop for exploring themes of power, loyalty, and moral ambiguity.

Discuss how Oh’s novel both reflects and diverges from traditional Korean folklore and cultural beliefs. How does the author’s reinterpretation place a feminist spin on an otherwise traditional protagonist?

Investigate the impact of family dynamics and ancestral influence on Mina’s spiritual evolution. How do family relationships and ancestral ties shape the characters’ identities and choices?

Compare and contrast Mina with other female characters in the novel to explore the author’s different representations of female agency.

Explore how the novel uses mythical elements to express and enhance human emotions. How do the mythological creatures and divine characters reflect or amplify the emotional states and conflicts of the human characters?