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A Study on the Militant Leader in Kwangsoo Lee’s The Soil( 『흙』)
Chunwon Research journal
Abbr :
Chunwon Research journal
2017, (10), pp.199-235
Publisher : Chunwon Research Society
Research Area : Korean Literature
2017, (10), pp.199-235
Publisher : Chunwon Research Society
Research Area : Korean Literature
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Kwangsoo Lee’s The Soil has been read in connect with the idea of Dosan Ahn Chang-ho or enlightenment movement for rural communities. This novel which shows the process that Heo Sung who worked as a lawyer in Seoul go back to his hometown Salyeoul considered a reduction of Chosun, then he tried hard to change his poor community to a ideal place. In the process, The Soil presents an ideal leader. In “Genius! Genius!( 천재 야! 천재야! )”, Lee emphasized the importance of genius, and he also said Chosun needed a man called ‘hyung-an-ja(炯眼者)’who has bright eyes to recognize a genius. Professor Han Min-gyo in this novel is the man who has bright eyes. Heo Sung devoted himself following his teacher Han Min-gyo to the renovation project of Salyeoul. Han Min-gyo and Heo Sung are the militant being who deny the existing common sense and social system. Specially, Heo Sung constantly shows his chastity of thoughts and he tries to live as a good role model. He resembles ‘the apostle Paul’ in the Bible. Heo Sung wants people of Salyeoul follow his will as he’s following his master Han, and he tries to protect the community against the evils such as corruption, depravity, and sloth even if he gives up his all rights and honor. He also makes the disciples. For such reasons, Heo Sung is a leader resembles St. Paul who did militantly for spreading the gospel.
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