한국고전문학전집의 간행 양상에 대한 비판적 고찰

Abstract

This research aims to suggest a new approach to the compilation of Korean classic works of literature based on an analysis of the trends and characteristics in the publication, composition and consciousness of such compilations, and the distinctive features of the works included. Firstly, starting with The Collection of Korean Classic Works of Literature, which was published by Minjung-seokwan in 1961, 21 kinds of Collections of Korean Classic Works of Literature have been published, with a wide range of individual characteristics as collections, ranging from ‘interesting cultural books’ for the public to ‘academic fundamental materials’ for elite readers with a high interest in Korean classic works of literature. For this reason, the readers have widely ranged from everyday people to collegians and specialized researchers, but the focus has moved to readers with special knowledge. The works of literature included mainly consist of poems, folk tales and stories written in Chinese. Secondly, in terms of composition and consciousness in compilation, 6 collections were analyzed. Early collections were planned to give the public general information on and familiarity with Korean classic works of literature by introducing popular novels. However, as time went on, more and more works of literature from different literary genres were included in the collection published by Seongeum (1970), and the collection was published by Seoyeong Publishing, leading to the intensification of the characteristics of fundamental academic materials with the original texts included and comments on the original texts reinforced. The collection published by the Korean Studies Institute(1993) included both original texts and versions translated into modern Korean in order to meet the demands of modern readers. As the distinctive feature, diverse editions on the same text can be found. In a nutshell, before publishing a new collection of Korean classic works of literature, a publishing company should check whether the collections published so far have qualified as a ‘Korea’s representative classics.’ Based on this process, it should pay more careful attention to the selection of works of literature to be included. Moreover, considering the fact that the age of the readers of such works has become younger than adolescents, different types of collections should be published for different age groups.