본문 바로가기
  • Home
Basic Search

Discovery of ‘So-nyeon (少年)’ and Narrative of ‘Becoming a Nation’ on Display

  • Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University
  • 2022, 79(1), pp.247-280
  • DOI : 10.17326/jhsnu.79.1.202202.247
  • Publisher : Institute of Humanities, Seoul National University
  • Research Area : Humanities > Other Humanities
  • Received : January 11, 2022
  • Accepted : February 8, 2022
  • Published : February 28, 2022

Kim Hee Kyung 1

1서울대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to examine works of Yeom Sang-seop during the liberation period more broadly, and the analytical object of this paper is Yeom Sangseop’s Chaeseogjang-ui Sonyeon (A Boy of the Quarry) that was recently discovered. This work differs from other works by Yeom Sang-seop in that it takes the form of children’s literature. However, this should be considered along with the socio-cultural aspect of forced conversion through the formation of anti-communism and the formation of the National Guidance Allian in South Korean society after the establishment of the separate government. Yeom Sang-seop opposed the establishment of independence government, supported South and North negotiation, and did not give up the possibility of the unified nation-state. However the South Korean government was eventually established on August 15, 1948 and using anticommunism as a means, Rhee Syng Man regime solidifies its system by defining “non-right” political ideologies and ideas of South Korean society as anti-national. Rhee Syng Man regime intends to forcibly embrace and convert “seditious groups” (the moderate and the left-wing) of South Korean society, through enacting the National Security Law (1948), strengthening anticommunism ideology, and forming the National Guidance Alliance (1949). In the process, numerous intellectuals joined the National Guidance Alliance, and Yeom Sang-seop couldn’t avoid joining either. Considering this situation, Yeom Sang-seop chose the form of an allegory in children’s literature instead of choosing to write novels through novel grammar same as before. This can be judged as a way to continue to write novels under the surveillance of anti-communist government. The narrative of ‘becoming a Nation’ of war refugees, which is being uttered on the surface of Chaeseogjang-ui Sonyeon and the theme of ‘integration of community based on cooperation and solidarity’ accompanying it can be effectively “displayed” through the form of children’s literature.

Statistics

  • 293 Viewed
  • 149 Downloaded

Tools

Issue List

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

Basic Search Advanced Search