There has been much discussion about Han Kang, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, and her works. Known for addressing historical trauma and social norms, Han’s writing explores the fragility of human life, the connection between body and soul, and the boundary between the living and the dead. Her experimental style has made her an innovator in contemporary prose.
Two terms are crucial to understanding Han Kang’s The Vegetarian: Korean culture and women’s status. The protagonist, Yeong-hye, embodies the silent violence endured by women within South Korean society. Her transformation begins when she decides to become a vegetarian after a disturbing dream, seriously challenging her family and societal expectations.
The first part of the novel depicts the unraveling of Yeong-hye’s marriage. Her husband, initially dismissive of her choice, becomes furious when she refuses to eat meat at a corporate banquet, a critical event for his career. Humiliated, he calls her family, which leads to a violent confrontation with her father who slaps her in the face. Her father’s attempt to force-feed her meat triggers a dramatic outburst — Yeong-hye cuts her wrist in an act of defiance, shaking her family’s core.
The second part shifts focus to Yeong-hye’s brother-in-law, an artist struggling with creative block. After learning about her birthmark, he becomes obsessed with Yeong-hye, seeing her as his artistic muse. He convinces her to participate in a body-painting project, which revitalizes her spirit. However, this act crosses ethical and moral boundaries, and when Yeong-hye’s sister discovers them, their family begins to disintegrate.
In the final part, Flaming Trees, the narrative centers on Yeong-hye’s sister. After the scandal, her husband disappears, and Yeong-hye is institutionalized. The sister, resilient under the weight of family shame, juggles the responsibilities of raising her child and running a business while financially supporting Yeong-hye’s care. She reflects on the roles imposed on women—daughter, sister, wife, and mother.
Through the lens of three men—Yeong-hye’s husband, father, and brother-in-law—Han Kang explores how male authority in Yeong-hye’s life manifests in violence and control, ultimately driving her into rebellion, isolation and institution.
A Chinese saying captures Yeong-hye’s spirit, “压迫越深，反抗越烈” (yā pò yuè shēn, fǎn kàng yuè liè), meaning “the deeper the oppression, the fiercer the resistance,” also captures the essence of The Vegetarian. This saying emphasizes how intense repression or control can ignite an equally intense pushback, which is reflected in Yeong-hye’s journey. Her quiet rebellion grows more defiant as she faces increasing pressure from her family and society.
In The Vegetarian, Han Kang masterfully explores the intersection of culture, tradition, societal expectations, violence, and individuality through Yeong-hye’s quiet rebellion. The novel's layered narrative reveals how deeply entrenched cultural norms affect women's autonomy. Yeong-hye’s journey as a vegetarian ultimately underscores the heavy toll of non-conformity in a society suffocated by rigid social expectations.