Griffin Kane Synthesis Paper 5/13/24. In both Frankenstein and The Vegetarian, we witness the agonizing struggles of the Monster and Yeong-Hye, who constantly grapple with questions of identity and belonging. Their yearning for acceptance or freedom, respectively, is met with relentless rejection, highlighting society's harsh and judgmental influence. Despite their similar circumstances, both characters diverge in their reasons for facing it, highlighting the themes of alienation and rejection within contrasting societies. In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the Monster's journey to grasp its identity serves as a central narrative theme, reflecting the complexities of self-discovery amidst ostracism. At the onset, the Monster's emergence into …show more content…
This deviation from the norm not only sets her apart but also enforces further actions that are deemed inappropriate by societal standards, an example of this being Mr. Cheongs frustration with not having his physical needs met, as Yeong-Hye stopped being intimate with him, in which he eventually forces it on her. As the novel continues, Yoeng-Hye continues to rebel against society even further. During the scene of the family dinner, tensions rise as Yoeng-hye’s family members attempt to feed her meat dishes. Young continues to refuse to eat any of these offerings, then after several failed efforts, Yeong-Hye's father shouts, “Don't you understand what your father’s telling you? If he tells you to eat, you eat!”(Han Kang 43). As this conflict arises, Yoeng-Hye’s father becomes violent and begins attempting to force-feed Yoeng-Hye, though she continues to resist. Her father then decides to slap her across the face with extreme force, resulting in even more pain for Yeong-Hye. Her family then joins in as they all make an effort to force-feed her meat. As these tensions continue to escalate, Young Hye makes the rebellious decision to pick up a knife and slit her wrists open. This act of rebellion against society