What would it be like to reshape your identity after death? In Rachel Khong's short story "My Dear You," the protagonist faces this very question when she finds herself in a unique afterlife where she can alter her appearance and revisit her past. After a tragic accident leaves her disfigured and dead, she finds herself in an afterlife where both her appearance and memories can be altered. This scenario allows her to reflect deeply on her identity and the role of her past relationships. Through her experiences, the story reveals that our identities are closely tied to our memories and relationships, and that true acceptance and love comes from embracing change and letting go of the past. Firstly, the setting of the afterlife in "My Dear You" …show more content…
The protagonist's efforts to remember her husband, Adam, reveal the struggle of holding onto the past as time goes on. She diligently reconstructs his face from fragments of memory, and writes his name on scraps of paper to keep his memory alive, saying "I'd scribble his name on pieces of paper so I wouldn't forget" (Khong 21). However, as time passes, her memories begin to fade, making it difficult for her to recall his face and details about their life together. This loss also symbolizes the broader challenge of preserving our past in the face of inevitable change. In summary, the story shows how our memories are vital to our sense of identity, but also how they can become elusive over time, emphasizing the transient nature of our connection to the past. Thirdly, love is also a central theme in the story, highlighted through the protagonist's relationships with her husband, Adam, and a new character named Adam. The story contrasts her deep connection with the original Adam with her emerging feelings for the new Adam. As the protagonist reflects, "Adam was easy to talk with. He cracked a lot of jokes...and made me laugh like I hadn't laughed in years. You remind of someone, he said. The word'remind' was practically foreign to me" (Khong 43). This quote reveals that the new Adam makes her laugh and feel joy again, suggesting that he embodies …show more content…
The protagonist's journey reflects the process of coming to terms with her new identity and the loss of her past. By accepting her new life and forming new relationships, she learns to let go of her previous self and embrace the present. As she concludes, "Someone in my past mattered a lot to me." We had a beautiful, irreplaceable relationship that was one in a million." Khong 81. This acceptance is crucial for her emotional growth and highlights the story's central message: we must let go of the past. Only then can we evolve. In summary, the protagonist's ability to let go of the past and embrace her new life encapsulates the theme that acceptance and love are key to navigating life's