‘양(洋)’의 이입과 ‘향(鄕)’의 발견

Abstract

The present study examined the meaning of ‘home’ appearing in modern novels focused on Lee Tae‐jun’s short story ‘Home.’ In order to understand ‘home’ appearing in modern novels, we should not overlook the speciality of colonialism characterized by ‘the absence of nation’ and ‘the loss of the native language’. Therefore, we must consider the introduction of ‘the West’ in order to understand home appearing in modern novels. Because of the geographical condition of our country, the newly adopted term ‘Yang (West)’ was used as a prefix implying ‘Western style’ or ‘imported from foreign countries,’ and became a sign indicating the general nature and use of Western civilization. In the history of modern literature that could not call the name of the country after the Japanese annexation of Korea, writers could not help choosing ‘Hyang (Home)’ as a term contrary to ‘Yang (West).’ Many of modern poems are on the theme of ‘homeland’ and ‘nostalgia’ and many of modern novels use ‘the loss of home’ and ‘longing for home’ as their materials. ‘Home’ as a central theme of modern novels reminds us of not only self‐identity (origin, residence) implied by home but also national identity especially under colonialism. In particular, home in modern novels is a physical substance that, in addition to suggesting people (family) and nature at home, displays the standing of ‘national language’ calling the lost homeland actively. In Lee Tae‐jun’s novels, ‘home’ realizes language nationalism in that it digests not only the lost homeland at present but also the past ‘history and culture’ of the nation.