ETHICAL EXPLORATIONS IN HAN KANG'S 'THE VEGETARIAN': A MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE"

Abstract

Han Kang's novel "The Vegetarian" offers a profound exploration of life, suffering, and ethical dilemmas in modern society. Influenced by her father's Buddhist novels, Han Kang delves into the ordinary human experience, addressing not only the challenges faced by women under patriarchy but also broader ethical quandaries. The novel comprises three interconnected novellas, each revealing the story of Yeong-hye, a vegetarian who becomes the subject of ethical scrutiny, ultimately labeled clinically mad. Yeong-hye's journey unfolds as she confronts domestic and societal violence triggered by her disturbing dreams. While existing critiques of "The Vegetarian" have primarily focused on plot-driven narratives and explored themes like feminism, ecocriticism, and posthumanism, they tend to revolve around binary oppositions prevalent in patriarchal societies. This paper seeks to broaden the critical perspective by introducing a medical dimension, examining the interactions between medical ethics, family dynamics, and societal structures. By considering the medical field in conjunction with historical ethics, particularly in the context of Yeong-hye's transformation from vegetarianism to identifying with vegetal nature, we aim to offer a more comprehensive understanding of the novel