Summary

“The Shadow of a Nightmare” opens in March of 1947, at which time Jeju is now occupied by the Americans, who use the island as a stepping stone to the USSR. A new organization called The Ninth Regiment of the Korean Constabulary is in charge of the island’s security now, but because its troops are mainly men who served in the Japanese army, the islanders are “outraged” (182). Young-sook’s family is learning English, and so is Sang-mun, who learns it quickly and gets hired by the Americans. During this time, Mi-ja’s abuse by Sang-mun becomes ever more evident, and the entire island suffers a food shortage, causing Young-sook’s grandmother to die. The people plan demonstrations to express dissatisfaction with American rule, and Young-sook’s family attends. The demonstration...