202


 only half of the truth, and the most accessible half at that, that part that had the least
 to do with him. ... he loved the pure idea of family as well, which in its most
 elemental version must have nothing to do with blood. It was how he saw all of us,
 and they by extension all those parts of Queens that he was now calling his. (146)


 Since Kwang's "pure idea of family" transcends the constrictive boundaries of

nationality, ethnicity, and ties of blood, his political campaign becomes a polyglot

embracement and celebration of diversity. Furthermore, he organizes a modified version

of the ggeh, a Korean money club that works by pooling capital from its members and

handing it over to one member on a rotating regular basis until everyone has a turn, in

order to sponsor his campaign funding and help people from his electorate who need

financial aid. And he includes in his ggeh everyone willing to participate, regardless of

his or her ethnic, financial, or even legal status as a citizen. The shady management of the

ggeh and the participation of many illegal immigrants ultimately lead to Kwang's

political demise, because when Henry, disillusioned with Kwang later, provides Dennis

with the list of members of the ggeh, the government targets and investigates Kwang's

campaign. Yet until Kwang loses his grip on his political and personal life by forsaking

his principles and engaging in morally reprehensible activities, his charisma attracts many

followers. Thus, feeling as if they were "his guerrillas" and delivering the message

"Kwang is like you. You will be an American" in "ten different languages" (143),

volunteer workers dedicate themselves to promoting Kwang's cause, and they indeed

become a tightly knit family. This "messianic" mood in the office affects Henry, too,

despite his hidden agenda of spying on Kwang. In Kwang, Henry finally finds an ideal

role model whom he can look up to and emulate in his assimilative endeavor to be a part

of the great American family. He has finally found a symbolic paternal figure in Kwang.