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The Problematic Image of ‘Hero’ in Chunsoosuk

  • Journal of Korean Literature
  • 2013, (27), pp.191-232
  • Publisher : The Society Of Korean Literature
  • Research Area : Humanities > Korean Language and Literature
  • Published : May 31, 2013

Chae Yun-mi 1

1서울대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This paper analyzes the characters Wi Bo-Hyung and Li Sa-Won as represented in the novel, Chunsoosuk. First defining the two characters as hero figures, this paper takes the perspective that the two characters are figures whom the novel’s main theme have been projected unto. Based upon this idea, this paper investigates the writer consciousness of Chunsoosuk, as well as its status within the history of literature. Wi Bo-Hyung, born with the requirements of an aristocratic hero figure, is actually a figure who is critical about the ways of the mundane world. However, the fact that he is fated to pursue wealth and honor in the mundane world by the virtue of his status makes his life a tragic one. Therefore, whenever he encounters problems due to the corruptions of the mundane world, he agonizes over them mentally and psychologically, rather than trying to solve the problems. The image of this character’s inability to make a choice, falling into distress, etc. can be described as the image of a troubled hero figure. Li Sa-Won is a character whose life’s meanings lie in his goal to live together with his parents. However, destiny keeps deterring the achievement of such a goal on his part, and whenever his hope is crushed he becomes sad and emotional. This reveals that he lacks a more realistic understanding of the world. This character can be defined as a weak hero figure. Li Sa-Won’s life is similar to that of Wi Bo-Hyung in that they each live a life that cannot be controlled by their own will. Chunsoosuk, which ends with the reductive images of the hero figure, the negative view of the world and its tragic resolutions, is the product of the writer’s observations on the changing ways of life and the world that were taking place at the time the writer was writing the novel. Here, both Wi Bo-Hyung’s and Li Sa-Won’s attitude of refusing to confront reality, seems to be a reflection of the reality of the times in which the problems of the mundane ways world were seriously ill yet without remedy. In other words, the novel is limited in that it cannot suggest any solution, but is meaningful in that it brings the problems to the forefront. In this sense, Chunsoosuk can be thought of as a novel that stands on the borderline between literati novels and peasant novels.

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