KJCKorea
Journal Central

<Jang Bokseon Jeon(張福先傳)> is one of Jeon(傳) written by Munmuja(文無子) Lee Ok(李鈺)(1760-1815) and classified into Yuhyeopjeon(Korean chivalry literature). Some figures who did not meet a moral standard but was supported by the people with their belief and value appeared in late Joseon Dynasty and Yuhyeopjeon is the description of their contributions. <Jang Bokseok Jeon(張福先傳)> is the story about the life of Jang Bokseon, a warehouse keeper of Pyeongyang provincial office. Jang Bokseon was punished with death under suspicion of peculation but passed through the crisis by all of Pyeongyang people who asked for his life. Moreover, research revealed that he used all money for giving relief to the poor and he was reborn as a chivalry. Lee Ok commends a high description strategy to shape a character. In other words, the process from raising a question, “what is a true chivalrous person?” to the conclusion that Jang Bokseon is a true chivalrous person is very dramatic but natural. Argument on ‘chivalry’ is enhanced through the form of a preface, character’s stature is raised to the maximum by maximizing each scene, and questions raised at the beginning were collected again and infinite positiveness was given to the object in the comment part. All of these points are closely connected throughout the writing. This description not only aims to praise the figure for practicing belief and justice and raising a honor although he is a poor petty town official, but also shows Lee Ok’s intention as a Confucian scholar. Lee Ok pursues a Confucian ideal by reconsidering the perception of ‘chivalry’ in society and shaping Jang Bokseon as a role model of a true chivalry.

Yuhyeopjeon, Jang Bokseon, benari, geisha, chivalry