KJCKorea
Journal Central

In this article, the portrayal of daughters-in-law and the patterns of marriage life are examined through the serialized classic Korean novel <SoHyunSungRok>. It discusses the emotions felt by these women during marriage, as well as their feelings towards family members other than their mothers-in-law, thereby reflecting on the aspects of married life depicted in poetry by a woman after marriage and her response to it. The focus is primarily on the wives of SoHyunSung and UnSung : Madame Hwa, Madame Seok, Madame Yeo, and madame Hyeong, as well as Princess Myeonghyeon. Although the marriage lives of women in the late Joseon Dynasty are also depicted in literary works such as folk songs and poetry, these tend to focus on emotions or are relatively short. However, in classic Korean novels, the portrayal of daughters-in-law is subtly detailed, focusing on their psychology and responses. Madame Hwa is portrayed as a daughter-in-law who rebels slightly against her elders but quickly becomes obedient after admonition. Madame Seok is depicted as a daughter-in-law who calmly and perfectly responds by understanding the hearts of her husband and elders in advance. Madame Hyeong, being wise and patient, endures hardships caused by her husband's favoritism without losing her composure, showing a dignified attitude. Madame Yeo and Princess Myeonghyeon, though not experiencing married life, become troubled or are driven away or killed due to their negative attitudes towards married life. The daughters-in-law in <SoHyunSungRok> exhibit obedient and calm responses to married life. While they are capable of speaking frankly or expressing their opinions confidently compared to other classic Korean novels, they maintain a docile attitude towards their parents-in-law. This may be considered desirable behavior in the upper-class families that were the audience for contemporary novels.

classic Korean novel, <SoHyunSungRok>, daughters-in-law, the patterns of marriage life, mothers-in-law, wife, husband