KJCKorea
Journal Central

This study about Korean Classical long Novel <Chossisamdaerok> examines on its portrait of elderly people, especially focusing on the description on their bodies and emotions, thus investigates an aspect of the cognizance of the aged the novel carries. In oriental way of thinking, the meaning of aging tends to be sought from our minds first. But body and emotion can’t be overlooked to fully understand the aged. Korean Classical long Novel ls have been commonly understood to support an ideal and normative image of the aged that is mentally mature, while an examination on the description of <Chossisamdaerok> on them confirms that its view on the aged is not entirely normative. To understand its cognizance of the aged, this study concentrated upon its mentions of bodies of the aged which are described more healthy and vigorous than those of the young, and upon the frank description of the uncontrollable emotions of the aged. As the result, it can be said that in physical aspect, the novel sees the aged as vigorous ― instead of impuissant ―, and realistic beings who can preferentially follow bodily desires, and are as mentally immature as red-blooded youth. It can be also confirmed that it doesn’t entirely devaluate the experience and age of the aged just because they are unfinished beings who can’t meet the ideal expectation. Image of the aged in <Chossisamdaerok> as seen in physical aspect represents much as a vigilance against the understanding that fixates an ideal image of the aged and use it as a measure to evaluate and alienate them. It also has a significant meaning as a proof of the overall characteristic of <Chossisamdaerok> as a novel that is concerned about human nature and matters of individuals.

the aged, body, spirit, emotion, unfinished beings