This paper asserts that the deepest background of all depression lies in the emptiness and meaninglessness caused by ‘ultimate loss,’ and that the key to overcoming it is to restore the sense of ‘transcendence’ and ‘connection.’ The characters appearing in The Vegetarian by Kang Han are all lonely human beings. They live in their own way, but they are not truly alive. In their lives, they do not properly create what Robert J. Lifton calls a ‘formulation.’ They are not connected with each other and have no symbolic integration with ‘Ultimate Reality.’ They are living in a moribund life trapped by their own trauma or emptiness. At the same time, they all show signs of depression and suicidal impulse. Therefore, by observing the novel, this paper examines human lives in modern times where depressions are prevalent, and suggests ways to solve such problems.

• 배병훈(서강대학교) | Bae, Byung-hoon (Sogang University)