A Comparative Study on Suicide in The Bell Jar and The Square: From the Viewpoint of Emile Durkheim and Giorgio Agamben

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This paper examines the complex interplay between individual existential crises and the overarching structures of modern societies, employing Giorgio Agamben’s theoretical frameworks of ‘Bare Life’ and ‘State of Exception.’ By conducting a detailed analysis of two pivotal literary texts—Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar and Choi Inhun’s The Square, this paper reveals how societal constructs can precipitate profound personal crises that may culminate in suicidal ideation or attempts. In The Bell Jar, Esther Greenwood’s narrative serves as a poignant illustration of Agamben’s ‘Bare Life.’ Her descent into mental illness and her ensuing struggle with social isolation progressively strip her of her social and political identity, rendering her existence valueless within her community. This dehumanization drives Esther towards an egoistic suicide, highlighting the devastating impact of societal neglect and the failure of social structures to integrate and support individual mental health needs. Conversely, Lee Myungjun from The Square represents a life caught in the ‘State of Exception.’ Positioned between the diametrically opposed ideologies of North and South Korea during a time of intense ideological conflict, Lee finds himself alienated from any societal support structures. His journey is emblematic of an individual lost in a socio-political limbo where traditional structures are either absent or contradictory, leading to a state of anomie. This lack of clear societal direction and personal disillusionment with the prevailing ideological frameworks propels him towards a tragic contemplation of suicide. This paper argues that both characters’ journeys underscore the critical impacts of societal exclusion and ideological conflicts on individual agency and dignity, suggesting a dire need for a reassessment of how modern societies address and integrate individual differences within their socio-political frameworks.