Hope for the Future

Although "Year of Impossible Goodbyes" is a very sad, dark book, it still carries a message of hope for the future, showing that even the worst of circumstances can still turn out well. This hope is hinted at in the beginning through several references to springtime. In fact, Sookan's Mother gives each of her sons a name containing the word "spring," in hopes that Korea will have a metaphorical spring, and in the end, all of her sons end up together and free. Springtime is a common symbol of new life and renewal, since the earth seems to come back to life after the winter.

Even though the Japanese have denied them every luxury, such as being able to plant a flower garden, Sookan's family keeps old packets of seeds for flowers, showing that they still hope for the future. The seeds represent not just...