Obie's Home

Obie's home is one of the novel's primary settings. The author depicts numerous significant scenes of Obie spending time with his Mom, Dad, and brother Jae-sung in this setting. Oftentimes, when Obie is upset, he closes himself into his room by himself. For example, in the novel's "Before" section, Obie is so hurt by Coach Bolton's cruelty, that he races to his room as soon as he gets home. He then proceeds to tear down and rip up the photo of himself with Bolton, Dad, Lucy, and Clyde. This moment is pivotal, in that Obie is severing his home life and his life with the Barracudas swim team.

In spite of the adversity Obie faces at school, his home offers him a safe place. Because his parents and brother are accepting, nonjudgmental, and supportive, when Obie is at home, he feels comforted, seen, and understood.

Halmoni and Harabuhji's Home