섬, 역사적 장소와 공간의 상징 -‘이생진·박희진·문충성’ 시를 중심으로－

Abstract

This is a paper discussing how islands have meaning as, and are symbols of, historical places and spaces. The underlying study examined the work of three poets (Lee Saeng-jin, Park hee-jin, Mun Chung-sung) who have frequently created poems on islands and the sea. Their poems have in common that they represent the history of islands, using symbolic interpretations of features such as historical places, events, people, spaces, and so on. First, the historical experience in islands refers to a collective experience and is not to be reduced to a personal experience. After all, individuals’ empirical places change and expand as historical sites, and certain places on islands are symbolized. Second, islands were historically used as places of exile because of their geographical isolation. By looking at historical figures who lived on the islands at historic sites, we can imagine historical events and figures and go back and forth in time and space between the past, present and future. Currently, islands are symbolized as cultural spaces that contain information and feed new imagination about history. Third, islands are symbolized as nations, countries, territories, histories, sovereignties, and alike. For example, 'Dokdo' is Korea itself to Koreans and Korea's soul. It has the most powerful symbolism that goes beyond islands being special geographical spaces due to their isolation. As such, islands show a variety of spatial symbols as historical places.