Comparing Death in "The Tree" and The Vegetarian Anonymous College

Both Han Kang and Anne Finch present the idea of impending death that cannot be avoided, however, both authors present the ideas in different ways as they are using different forms of writing to do so. In addition, both Kang and Finch use death as a way to look back and reflect on the past that has led up to the present. In Kang’s The Vegetarian, specifically Part 3: Flaming Trees, she uses Yeong-hye’s stubbornness, from her mental condition, to eventually make In-hye see that death is not necessarily such a bad thing, and that perspective is something important to consider when death is in discussion, however, this perspective also comes into play regarding the loved ones of those that are dying. Kang uses the relationship between In-hye and Yeong-hye in Flaming Trees to show In-hye’s inability to understand Yeong-hye’s seemingly calm notion towards her own death. On the other hand, Anne Finch paints death as something that is sacred, perhaps something that is just as important as one’s birth, and therefore should be celebrated for all of its achievements in life, no matter how seemingly great or small they may appear to be, but also believes in a sort of karmic aspect to it. Finch carefully employs a rhyme scheme that...