고전소설에 나타난 科題의 양상과 문학적 의미

Abstract

This paper studies how the theme of the state examination during the Joseon Dynasty is presented in the classical novel and what literary significance it has. State examination was described in the early classical novel and the scene of the examination was described along with its regularization. Its theme was chosen according to the desire to describe the scene of the examination in detail. There are various themes in the classical novel. According to the contents, the themes can be divided into three types：the type of choosing the engagement of the men of ability, the type of pursing the peaceful ruling, and the type of choosing a wise wife. These themes not only intensify the realism of the testing place and extend the techniques of creative writing using the examination but also have a significant meaning such as reflecting the wishes of the people who enjoy the privileges of novel. In this way, the themes of the examination representing a variety of scenes can be used as a literary technique for the organization of the work. On that score, it is necessary to begin the full discussion of the theme of the state examination.