From the Bookshelf of Reading with Namjoon…

The Vegetarian

Han Kang

Start date: April 1, 2021

Finish date: May 31, 2021

Discussion: Novels

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By E L K Y · 3 posts · 75 views

last updated Jul 18, 2023 09:29AM

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Mar 09, 2023 Ghazal rated it it was amazing

I am currently writing a paper on this book, and I think this is the most interesting paper I’ve written by far. This book is basically a social critique on the patriarchal South Korean society and I feel like it could also apply to several other eastern societies. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and it might just be one of my favorite reads ever if not my favorite ever.

(the following may contain spoilers)

These are some of my interpretations:

- First we have a sort of comparison between t I am currently writing a paper on this book, and I think this is the most interesting paper I’ve written by far. This book is basically a social critique on the patriarchal South Korean society and I feel like it could also apply to several other eastern societies. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and it might just be one of my favorite reads ever if not my favorite ever.

(the following may contain spoilers)

These are some of my interpretations:

- First we have a sort of comparison between the reactions that the brother-in-law receives for his ‘deviation’ from societal norms (and even moral norms if that’s the proper term) was not anywhere near the severity of the reactions the Yeonghye received for just a diet change. That was a really good way to reflect the double standards women face in such patriarchal societies.

- Also if we compare the three chapters, to me PERSONALLY, it was a great way to show different views society has of women: traditional and quite sexist in chapter 1 and i feel like that is why we see the parents mostly only in chapter 1 to reflect or show how this is the mindset they grow up to have as well, we barely see the characters outside the chapters they’re supposedly representing a different view in, we do come across them briefly in chapter 1 but I feel like this reflects how this is the dominant view and it effects everyone whether they share it or not. There is also sexualizing and objectifying in chapter 2, and other suffering woman’s POV in the third chapter who seems to be slowly going down a similar road of madness or at least that’s what the writer hinted at.

- Even though the husband’s mindset was very traditional, he was still envious of Yeonghye’s brother-in-law for his wife (Inhye) and it stuck with me how he was envious of him especially for the fact that Inhye is the main provider of their household while her husband can do whatever he likes. Because that’s not what’s in traditions no? The man is the man provider and the woman sits at how to take care of the children and/or house, yet Inhye’s husband does neither and that is what Mr Cheong is envious of? So you’re not really traditional, you’re just selfish and sexist.
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Mar 29, 2025 shubhster⁷ rated it really liked it

I was rather confused about where the book was going while reading the first two parts, but the third part made me understand what this book really wanted to talk about.

being a woman in a patriarchal society is an exhausting, endless cycle of performance. you perform in public, you perform in private. there's a mask you have to wear at all times - conduct yourself in a certain way, dress a certain way, talk a certain way, look a certain way - even when people are not looking. even when you are ...more

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