As in we refuse to part by refusing to say goodbye, or as in we actually don’t part ways? (...) Is it somehow incomplete, the parting? (...) Is it deferred? The goodbye—or the closure? Indefinitely?
Introduction
Han Kang’s We Do Not Part, translated by e. yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris, promises a deeply meditative experience, intertwining themes of trauma, memory, and survival. Known for her introspective and often haunting narratives, Han Kang returns with a novel that explores the emotional landscapes of loss, grief, and the human compulsion to preserve meaning in the face of overwhelming despair. Following her internationally acclaimed works like The Vegetarian and Human Acts, We Do Not Part positions itself as another profound exploration of the human condition. First published in 2021, this novel continues Kang’s journey of examining the fragility of life against the backdrop of historical violence and personal suffering.
Synopsis
The novel opens with a dreamlike scene, where the protagonist, Kyungha, navigates a surreal landscape filled with black tree trunks and snow—images that seem to embody both death and survival. This ambiguous opening sets the tone for the novel’s fragmented narrative, blending Kyungha’s personal reflections with memories of political violence, specifically alluding to the massacre in G—, a key historical event that haunts both the protagonist and the author’s previous work.
Throughout We Do Not Part, Kyungha grapples with the heavy burden of grief and loss. Her narrative is punctuated by recurring dreams, mysterious symbolism, and her struggle to make sense of her connection to G—. At the heart of the story is Kyungha’s encounter with a friend, Inseon, who has experienced a life-altering injury. Inseon’s journey of physical pain mirrors Kyungha’s emotional suffering, and together, they confront the difficulty of holding on to life while navigating the specters of the past.
The novel is structured in three parts—Bird, Night, and Flame—each contributing to the overarching themes of dislocation, trauma, and the search for meaning in fractured lives. As Kyungha reflects on the relationships she has lost and the history she cannot escape, the novel moves fluidly between her internal turmoil and external realities, ultimately asking whether survival is truly possible without reconciliation.
Thematic Analysis
- Memory and Trauma: A central theme in We Do Not Part is the inescapability of memory, particularly when intertwined with collective trauma. The massacre in G— acts as both a literal and symbolic wound in Kyungha’s life, illustrating the novel’s meditation on how historical violence leaves permanent marks on individuals and societies. Kyungha’s recurrent nightmares reflect her inability to separate personal grief from the larger narrative of national tragedy. These dreams, filled with images of submerged graves and skeletal trees, suggest that the trauma of the past continues to rise, much like the tides that threaten to wash away forgotten bones.
The novel also dives into how trauma reshapes identity. Kyungha’s disconnection from those around her and her retreat into solitude illustrate how trauma fractures one’s sense of self. This alienation is compounded by her guilt and the unspoken question of whether survival comes at the cost of forgetting or distorting painful memories.
- Survival and Resilience: Han Kang’s characters often confront the question of what it means to survive, and We Do Not Part is no exception. Kyungha’s narrative is a journey of endurance, but it is a survival marked by pain rather than triumph. Inseon’s story parallels Kyungha’s as she deals with the physical toll of her injuries. The decision to reattach her severed fingers, knowing the immense pain required to sustain their survival, serves as a metaphor for how we cling to pieces of ourselves, even when doing so is excruciating.
The act of surviving is depicted as a series of choices—some voluntary, others imposed—about what to hold on to and what to let go of. Inseon’s injury, and her decision to undergo painful treatment rather than amputate her fingers, parallels Kyungha’s emotional pain in her quest to hold on to memories of the past. Both women are engaged in a process of preservation, whether of body or memory, but the novel suggests that such acts are fraught with difficulty and uncertainty.
- The Intersection of Personal and Political: Like Human Acts, We Do Not Part blurs the lines between personal suffering and political violence. Kyungha’s personal losses—failed relationships, deaths of loved ones—are never entirely separate from the broader context of political unrest. The massacre in G— serves as a historical backdrop, but its implications bleed into Kyungha’s internal world, making it impossible for her to compartmentalize her personal grief from the larger societal wounds.
This theme of interconnectedness is reinforced through the novel’s exploration of how trauma ripples outward, affecting not only the individual but also their relationships, their sense of place, and their relationship to history. Kyungha’s isolation is reflective of a broader disillusionment with how societies fail to address or acknowledge collective trauma, forcing individuals like her to bear the weight of unresolved histories alone.
- Nature and Symbolism: Nature, particularly the imagery of trees and snow, is omnipresent in the novel. The recurring motif of black trees stripped of their branches and the snow that quietly covers them suggests both death and the potential for renewal. Snow, in particular, symbolizes both purity and erasure—covering the scars of the past but not truly healing them. The imagery of trees also evokes the idea of rootedness, a connection to the earth that persists despite the violence that threatens to uproot them.
The dreamscape in which Kyungha frequently finds herself—filled with half- submerged graves and skeletal trees—serves as a metaphor for her own fractured existence. The natural world becomes a reflection of her internal state, with the changing seasons and landscapes mirroring her emotional journey from despair to a tentative reconciliation with her past.
Conclusion
Han Kang’s We Do Not Part is a powerful exploration of how trauma, both personal and collective, lingers long after the events that caused it. Through the lens of Kyungha’s dreams and memories, the novel examines the complexities of grief, survival, and the human desire to hold on to meaning amidst suffering. As with her previous works, Han Kang’s prose is sparse yet haunting, leaving readers with a sense of unease and a lingering question: Can we ever truly part from the ghosts of the past?
This novel’s strength lies in its ability to balance the deeply personal with the universally resonant, as Kyungha’s story serves as both an individual’s reckoning with loss and a reflection on the broader human experience of living with the weight of history. We Do Not Part is a testament to Han Kang’s mastery of depicting the quiet but profound struggles of the human heart, as well as her commitment to shining a light on the darker aspects of our collective past. Fans of her earlier works will find We Do Not Part to be a deeply moving continuation of her exploration of trauma, memory, and resilience.