Waiting By Ha Jin

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Ha Jin’s waiting is a love story set in China during Mao's Cultural Revolution; about a genuine, studious doctor, who is dealing with seeking love. The main character Lin Kong is trapped in a loveless marriage arranged by his family. He patiently waits to divorce his wife Shuyu every summer, attempting year after year over a span of 18 long years for his divorce to be granted, so that he could finally be with the woman he loves. Lin Kong is a product of an entire generation of Chinese youth raised to abide the cultural beliefs and teachings of their time, which were raised to be too patient to speak up for what was right. They also were so attached to upholding good standards to know how to live without rules and too passive to create change for themselves. Lin Kong is the Model Citizen because he followed the rules to achieve what he wanted.

In the novel Lin battles with his emotions and impulses to keep himself from getting out of trouble with the Military and cheating on his wife. What was ironic is how being in a military doctor pushes him further away from his wife while at the same time helping him bond closer with Manna. Early on in the story his nonchalant, mild-mannered demeanor blinds him leaving him unable to realize that he his loved by another woman other than his wife. From the beginning of the novel we know that Lin Kong already does not love his wife. Lin is not physically attracted to Shuyu. He is embarrassed to show or even discuss to his comrades about her. Unknowing of how to handle a woman as bold as Manna early on makes Lin nervous. When he becomes comfortable with talking to her he realizes that he is attempting to express love for the first time.

Lin’s position in the Military made him close with people in high places such as Ran Su. Ran Su offers his advice as from the perspective of a friend and as a Military official. Ran Su’s thirst for knowledge and Lin Kong’s secret stash of novels is what makes their relationship special. In chapter 6 he foreshadows that Lin is heading towards trouble for being involved with Manna. He also makes Lin swear to keep the relationship between him and Manna strictly professional and clear of abnormal happening. Ran Su also offers his services in chapter 12 when he hand writes a recommendation letter for Lin to divorce his wife.

The rules and regulations of the military compound forced Lin to behave with the upmost respect and honor when around his peers. His inability to publicly display his affection to Manna also keeps him on the path of not cheating on his wife. His strong moral values keep him level headed. An example of this is Lin refusing to go away to the House that was arranged for him and Manna to share by Haiyan Niu. Lin’s position as a doctor and Manna’s as a nurse keeps them in close contact. In chapter 3 when he removes blisters from Manna’s feet and arranges that she continues the journey by way of a carriage then he states don’t mention it’s my job. This is Lin’s way of manipulating his job duty’s to be close to Manna.
Lin’s association within the military also keeps the younger officers from talking to Manna. Even when most knew he had a wife they treated Manna as his other fiancée. This bending of the rules often conflicted with the beliefs that 2 individuals could not be together when they are not married but because of Lin’s inability to divorce he was under heavy criticism but still technically did not break any rules.

Lin’s chooses to be a model citizen and follows the rules because it is the easy way out. This statement is not to classify Lin as a lazy person but is how Lin can be explained. For the sake of keeping appearances, and being judged poorly amongst his peers he avoids confrontation & battles with keeping himself out of situations that will harm is finances, spending time Manna or his the progression of divorcing his wife. His inability to stand up for himself and his true feelings are held back by Lin’s thinking process that if he wait patiently then he will eventually receive what he wants.