The Kite Fighters

Given that the novel is centered on Young-sup’s aspirations to participate in the kite fights, kites are the most significant symbol in the story. Fundamentally, kites are a symbol of Honor and Tradition, with kite fights a significant cultural element of 15th-century Korea. As a centuries-long ritual, the kite fights show the importance of maintaining cultural identity while also emphasizing the rigid codes of behavior neo-Confucian society enforced. Making and flying kites provides the Lee brothers with a chance to test the boundaries of these codes and imagine a future that is less strict.

For Young-sup, “kite magic” is a source of wonder, escape, and freedom: “The kite was like a part of him—the part that could fly” (13). Confined by the societal expectations of being “second son,” flying kites is when Young-sup feels most capable. For the first time, Young-sup has something he excels at, and has an opportunity to gain his own recognition and represent the Lee family, which is unheard of for a second son.

Young-sup is so passionate about kites that his emotions are directly affected by flying, and the movements of the kite in the sky even mirror Young-sup’s own internal emotional landscape: “[The kite] took a great swooping dive and seemed as surprised as he was” (78), when Young-sup finds out about Kee-sup’s request. When Lee Young-sup is distraught about his argument with Lee Kee-sup, despite the kites being a source of tension between the brothers, flying immediately makes him feel better: “[T]he pain eased as he flew, like a swelling going down” (77).

To become the best young fighter, Young-sup must practice tirelessly on his maneuvers and technique—in this way, the kites teach Young-sup about dedication and hard work. As a child who is naturally impatient with most things, kite flying, especially learning how to “read” the wind, is one activity for which he has endless patience. Most importantly, the Lee brothers learn important lessons about Family and Brotherhood through kite-flying. The entire process, including constructing and flying, requires both of their skill sets and collaboration. Just like the tiger kites that Kee-sup decorates, the brothers learn to celebrate their similarities and differences, and learn that to win the competition, they must learn to trust each other.