How does the author evoke a sense of despair and ambiguity in this extract? (Extract 1)
By reflecting on the past, the author explores the subjectivity of memory, thus creating a sense of grief, despair, and ambiguity.
-
-
- 1) Through the use of imagery the author establishes a dull atmosphere that enables the narrator to reflect on the large spectrum of humanity, depicting the sense of despair it brings.
- 2) In this extract, structure, both in the form of paragraphs and reflections, is used to convey the subjective nature of memories and ambiguity that brings.
- 3) Han Kang’s choice of narrative voice/perspective highlights the notion of subjective memory vs collective memory
-
The extract is taken from a novel named Human Acts, written by Han Kang in 2014. In this extract, we are introduced to the unknown narrator’s memories and reflections upon the past which seems to be a greater questioning of human values, the meaning of life and the existence of oneself. By reflecting on the past, the author explores the subjectivity of memory, thus creating a sense of grief, despair, and ambiguity. The dull atmosphere created through imagery enables the narrator to reflect on humanity and the despair that includes. These reflections are created by the structure and use of paragraphs and help convey the subjective nature of memories and ambiguity this subjectivity brings. Han Kang’s choice of subjective perspective highlights this notion of subjective memory compared to collective memory.
In this extract, imagery is used by Han Kang to establish an atmosphere full of melancholy and dullness in which the narrator is reflecting on the large spectrum of life and the despair this can bring. In order to effectively create an atmosphere where heavy themes such as human values and the meaning of life, imagery have been used by Han Kang to convey the feeling of hopelessness depicted in the extract: “The world darkens, like electrub bulbs going out one by one “(L3-4). These electric bulbs which are turning off might here be representing the few sparks of joy or hope the narrator has, yet they are disappearing little by little. Almost as if the narrator’s faith in humanity becomes smaller and smaller as time goes and as they learn and experience more, and the audience start to understand and even feel these emotions and thoughts of despair through the use of imagery used in this extract.
