Han Kang's 'Human Acts' delves into the aftermath of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising in South Korea. Through a mosaic of interconnected narratives, Kang explores the profound impact of violence on individuals and society. With lyrical prose and unflinching honesty, the novel examines themes of memory, trauma, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Use this worksheet to help guide you and wrestle with the issues of the work, as well as the authorial choices that are used to convey them. This unit will also help you hone your comparative writing skills, which will be essential for success in Paper 2.
What role do your values, beliefs and experiences have in how you analyse and interpret works of art? When you think about whether you are sympathetic to a character or not, do you think that you are you influenced by your culture? Reader Response theory would be a great lens through which to reflect on your own values and beliefs as you approach this violent and taboo-busting tragedy.
Why not connect this literary work to Euripides great play, Medea. The theme of violence is a clear connection, but you could also explore the representation of women within a patriarchal society, as well as explore the concept of rebellion.
I can imagine reading a fantastic Paper 2 response which addresses this literary work. You would need to think about which other literary work to compare it to: power structures in Medea? Language and violence in Margaret Atwood? Systemic oppression in Citizen? There are so many possible avenues to explore which would allow for interesting analysis. See this page for some ideas on how to get started.