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@article{ART002963174},
author={KO Jeong Hee and Koo, Bonkwan},
title={The Aspect of Puns in “Agi-tan” and the Writer’s Intention},
journal={Journal of Korean Literature},
issn={1598-2076},
year={2023},
number={47},
pages={127-160},
doi={10.52723/JKL.47.127}

TY - JOUR
AU - KO Jeong Hee
AU - Koo, Bonkwan
TI - The Aspect of Puns in “Agi-tan” and the Writer’s Intention
JO - Journal of Korean Literature
PY - 2023
VL - null
IS - 47
PB - The Society Of Korean Literature
SP - 127
EP - 160
SN - 1598-2076
AB - This paper aims to analyze the aspects of puns used in “Agi-tan”(A Lament Song on Babies) and elucidate the writer’s intention. “Agi-tan” was written by the 19th-century Neo-Confucian literati named Koo Gang(具康, 1757～1832). He created numerous puns using homonymy of ‘Agi(baby)’ with various linguistic statuses such as the derivative suffix of ‘reduction,’ reanalyzed linguistic units and new words or expressions created by attaching ‘Agi’ etc. The writer couplets ‘extremely light and vulgar objects’ like ‘Jippul-Agi’(meaning a strand of a straw) and ‘human Agi(baby)’ based on the commonality of the sound of ‘Agi.’ Through this, he challenges the authority of the adoption system for its artificial resolution for being childless since the Neo-Confucian literati, considered the ‘baby(male heir)’ too critical, had established this system. And he expresses a voice of desperately missing his baby after sending him away for adoption. However, repeating ‘Agi(baby)’ countless times reveals a contradiction implying acknowledgment of the precious ‘Agi(male heir).’ “Agi-tan” is in line with the writer’s representative work “Buksaegok” revealing the self-contradiction of a Neo-Confucian literati with a subversive reservation about the Neo-Confucian social system.
KW - Koo Gang;“Agi-tan”;Pun;Agi(baby;male heir);Adoption System;“Buksaegok”
DO - 10.52723/JKL.47.127
ER -

KO Jeong Hee and Koo, Bonkwan. (2023). The Aspect of Puns in “Agi-tan” and the Writer’s Intention. Journal of Korean Literature, 47, 127-160.

KO Jeong Hee and Koo, Bonkwan. 2023, "The Aspect of Puns in “Agi-tan” and the Writer’s Intention", Journal of Korean Literature, no.47, pp.127-160. Available from: doi:10.52723/JKL.47.127

KO Jeong Hee, Koo, Bonkwan "The Aspect of Puns in “Agi-tan” and the Writer’s Intention" Journal of Korean Literature 47 pp.127-160 (2023) : 127.

KO Jeong Hee, Koo, Bonkwan. The Aspect of Puns in “Agi-tan” and the Writer’s Intention. 2023; 47 : 127-160. Available from: doi:10.52723/JKL.47.127

KO Jeong Hee and Koo, Bonkwan. "The Aspect of Puns in “Agi-tan” and the Writer’s Intention" Journal of Korean Literature no.47(2023) : 127-160.doi: 10.52723/JKL.47.127

KO Jeong Hee; Koo, Bonkwan. The Aspect of Puns in “Agi-tan” and the Writer’s Intention. Journal of Korean Literature, 47, 127-160. doi: 10.52723/JKL.47.127

KO Jeong Hee; Koo, Bonkwan. The Aspect of Puns in “Agi-tan” and the Writer’s Intention. Journal of Korean Literature. 2023; 47 127-160. doi: 10.52723/JKL.47.127

KO Jeong Hee, Koo, Bonkwan. The Aspect of Puns in “Agi-tan” and the Writer’s Intention. 2023; 47 : 127-160. Available from: doi:10.52723/JKL.47.127

KO Jeong Hee and Koo, Bonkwan. "The Aspect of Puns in “Agi-tan” and the Writer’s Intention" Journal of Korean Literature no.47(2023) : 127-160.doi: 10.52723/JKL.47.127