간찰을 통해 본 과거 응시 –이중구가 5대 고문서를 중심으로

Abstract

This research selects 35 out of 8,000 some epistles of Li Junggu family’s 5 generations who were descendants of the mid-Joseon period Confucian scholar Li Eonjeok(李彦迪), and briefly studies the over all process of preparing, taking and passing gwageo(科擧) during the later period of Joseon dynasty. How the seonbis –Confucian classic scholars– in Yeongnam(嶺南) province especially centering Gyeongju(慶州) studied in order to prepare for taking gwageo examinations from the early age of 6~7, how they took informations regarding gwageo examinations despite the regional limits, and how they resolved the excessive expenses for gwageo within their petty finances were examined. Certainly, it is merely a total illogic that some partial epistles sent and received among seonbis living in a certain period might be enough for discussing gwageo during the entire Joseon dynasty era. Nonetheless, as it is valuably necessary to examine how gwageo, which was the virtually only exit for successful career of seonbis living in Gyeongju area of Yeongnam province from the late 18th century through the early 19th century, was percieved, this study takes it for the object of research.