When You Trap a Tiger

Lily begins the story discussing her established role within her family: She’s the one who doesn’t make trouble, speak out, intervene, or cause a scene. She knows that Mom counts on her to fulfill this role consistently, especially when Mom and Sam fight. Lily so firmly embodies this role that she refers to it as her “supersecret power” (1)—invisibility—and doesn’t step out of it even when spotting a fearsome tiger in the road. She immediately backs down after trying to get Mom’s attention, and Mom “smiles, relieved” because Lily is “never difficult” (7). Part of Lily’s journey is learning one can’t always stay in their established role. She may be the only one who can help Halmoni and shrugs off the comfort and familiarity of her quietness to take action.

Lily starts her journey by taking a trip to the library to research tigers. While there, she spontaneously chases a tiger; next, she tries to spy on Ricky in the grocery store, causing a scene when the cereal display tumbles. Later on, Lily defies both rules and reality when she visits the tigress. As Lily’s concern for Halmoni intensifies, she grows more sensitive to others’ perception of the older woman.