박계주 초기소설의 대중성과 계몽성

Abstract

Park, Gyejoo is a remarkable novelist in the history of modern Korean Literature in novels, although there are not many studies of him so far. His work(SoonAeBo 『殉愛譜』) brought him a great deal of popularity nationwide when it was published in 1939. SoonAeBo has won a special literary award for novels organized by 『MaeilSinbo, 每日新報』at 1939, then became a best-selling piece printed in millions of copies - even made into a film. However critics and literary experts in Korea did not show general interests to SoonAeBo as it was shown just as a popular novel for public readers. The title SoonAeBo means that of‘ Love that sacrifices its chastity for power in human history’which brings a surmise of a work affected by the colonial ruling ideology as a ‘meoulsabonggong(滅私奉公, self-annihilation for the sake of one’s country) in coercion from militarists of the end of Japan Imperialism. The theme of this novel is based on Christian pastor Yi, Yong Do’s creed in mysticism of suffering and love for mankind. In post-liberation era, Park, Gyejoo published an anthology Cheoneoygee(處女地) based on his experience in Manchuria, but this collection of short stories was less recommended compared to his former novel. After 1950’s, he concentrated on writing serial stories in a newspaper. His later works faces most of principle events in the Korean modern history such as the prosecution of Christianity in 1860’s, pre-and post-conditions of social standings in the 6.25(Korean War), continual of anti-Japanese movements opposing to Japanese Imperialism and a collapse of the Liberal Party of South Korea etc. In this context, hence the archetypal characteristics of Park’s novel can be presented based on a Christian spirituality and of criticizing the social reality throughout in the era he lived.