https://doi.org/10.67147/literariness.v1i4.058
Spaces, Violence and the Grotesque: A Probe into Han Kang’s Strategy of Memory Activism
AMEENA AMAL M
Research Scholar
Amal College of Advanced Studies, Nilambur
Affiliated to University of Calicut, Kerala, India
ORCID: 0009-0005-9958-9760
DR. SHAMEEMA T
Assistant Professor, Amal College of Advanced Studies, Nilambur
Affiliated to University of Calicut, Kerala, India
ORCID: 0000-0001-9087-4462
Abstract: This research paper will look into the interplay of spaces and violence, which has become more prevalent than ever in the twenty-first century. Through the qualitative methodology of close reading of the chosen text Human Acts (2014) by Han Kang, this paper aims at two aspects of the space-violence tie. First, it examines the intricate dynamics of violence and how spaces function as catalysts for it. Second, it analyses how the uneven spatial distribution of violence becomes a challenge in reclaiming the post-war spaces back into normalcy and sustenance. Furthermore, this study will be supported by Mikhail Bakhtin’s concept of the grotesque which he introduced in the work Rabelais and His World (1965), to explicate Han Kang’s approaches of using memory activism as a tool for resistance and vocalising violence. Considering global narratives and their impact on literary realms, it is evident that South Korean literary works have not yet secured a prominent position within academic discourse and broader discussions, despite their unique and relevant content. Based on these insights, this article provides new reflections on the possibilities and scope of global literary outputs in addressing violence issues. Moreover, this study supplements ideas for understanding how these narratives expand counterarchival practices, serving continually as a space/platform for amplifying social issues by unlocking many of the less explored realms of human actions.
Keywords: Spatiality, Violence, Grotesque, Memory Activism, Counter- Archival Practices
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