Can the deceased save the living?

Recently, I attended a fascinating lecture titled “Can the Deceased Save the Living?”

The speaker was Professor Sung Jin-je from South Korea, who offered an in-depth interpretation of themes in the works of Han Kang, the Nobel laureate in Literature. I had always thought of Han Kang primarily as a feminist writer, but after the lecture, I realized that her works also engage deeply with reflections on Korean history. The event was hosted by the School of Literature—a field of study I have always felt a strong affinity for.

First, the professor introduced key aspects of Korean history. He described the middle-aged generation in their 30s and 40s as “a generation carrying collective memories of martial law, ashamed of not having died alongside the fighters.” This statement left a deep impression on me.

In my view, every country should reflect on its wars and upheavals. This idea aligns perfectly with the theme of the lecture: the living cannot save the deceased, for a life once lost can never be restored, and the resulting trauma is irreversible. However, the deceased can save the living—they remind us, in the real world, never to forget the efforts made in the pursuit of peace and freedom.

Roland Barthes once said, “To remember and bear witness to the existence of a loved one is to immortalize them.” This is the truth I took away from the lecture.

Professor Sung Jin-je’s talk was delivered with a delightful sense of humor. Despite not being a native Chinese speaker, he offered unique insights into the Chinese language—his reflections on how linguistic nuances reveal cultural mindsets added an unexpected layer of depth to the discussion.

Zhejiang University truly stands out as an ideal environment for cultivating interdisciplinary talent. Regardless of your major, you can attend engaging lectures hosted by different colleges every week. The key is learning how to search for information effectively and discerning which knowledge to absorb—this ability to sift through and embrace diverse learning opportunities is what truly enriches one’s academic journey here.