<쌍녈옥소록>의 정난지변 서술시각과 그 시대적 의미

Abstract

Ssangryeoloksorok is a literary work which deals with the way a noble family copes with Jeongnanjibyeon. Wi Myung, the protagonist regards Jeongnanjibyeon as an immoral treachery and rejects to cooperate with Yeongrak-je, the new emperor, while his father and brothers accept and serve him as their lord. Wi Myung insists criticizing Yeongrak-je’s immorality, whereas his father and brothers prioritize reinforcement of emperor’s authority which Yeongrak-je declared as the purpose of Jeongnanjibyeon. The conflict between the Wi’s reflects the situation of Sarim(scholar-politician class of the Choseon dynasty) in 18th century, who suffered the deterioration of their own political influence due to the strengthening of royal authority. Wi Myung and his family represent how the Sarim responded to the change of situation. Wi Myung represents a negative perspective towards the strengthening of royal authority, while his father and brothers represent a positively view to it. In Ssangryeoloksorok, the historical background is the early period of Myung Dynasty, when the emperor and subjects were equal in their relations. Moreover, Yeongrak-je is depicted to have interacted with the Wi’s closely when he was young. It implies a narrative perspective that the relationship between the emperor and the subjects is essentially equal. Wi Myung’s hostility against Yeongrak-je’s dictatorship mean that the narrator does not agree with the cause of Jungnanjibyeon centered on the strengthening of royal authority. Wi Myung’s father and brothers also begin to criticize Yeongrak-je finally, which reflects the readers’ critical perspectives towards the deterioration of Sarim politics and their crisis in political identity as king’s critical advisors. Meanwhile, the romantic narrative of Wi Myung and Yang Okso functions as a macroscopic frame in which the whole narrative continues and expands until the couple reunites firmly. In this frame, Wi Myung overcomes various difficulties and finally reconciles with his family. As it were, Ssangryeoloksorok describes Sarim’s identity crisis and its recovery in a firm narrative frame.