If I Had Your Face

Within the novel, wealth functions as a motif that emphasizes and exacerbates the polarity of the society within Seoul that the novel creates. Wealth functions as a means of access, allowing people with it to operate differently within society. It is directly tied to the concepts of rigid social hierarchies and gender inequality, two other motifs within the novel, and consistently creates conflict between the characters. The Othering of those without wealth functions to create tension and foster resentment among the characters in the novel, allowing them to explore their own personal desires and how their socio-economic status either provides them with opportunity or limits them. Othering is a type of literary trope in which people are placed into two opposing groups, the “us” and the “others.” In this case, those with wealth are socially elevated and those without it are Othered and looked down upon.

Each protagonist interacts with wealth and those who are wealthy in their own ways. Ara grew up as the daughter of two servants for a wealthy family outside of Seoul. Ara resents her parents’ reverent attitude toward their employers while simultaneously feeling guilty about being the reason her parents are unable to leave their jobs at the Hanok estate; this causes her to avoid visiting her family entirely.