벽초의 『임꺽정』과 연암 문학의 비교 고찰

Abstract

This paper is for a study of correlation between Lim Kkeok-jeong, the masterpiece of historical novel by Hong Myung-hee and literature of Pak Chi-won, the great writer of the late Chosŏn dynasty. Their literature shared the same ground: First, they tried to express a characteristic of korean national literature. Second, they also criticized the corruption of the noble class, yangban and attempted to find the truthfulness in the people. And third, their works have realism and rich humor. But they had some difference as well: While Pak Chi-won just stayed awakening of cultural identity of Chosŏn in the world system of sinocentrism, Hong Myung-hee succeeded in attaining the achievement of nationalism. And whereas Pak Chi-won ceased his criticism on moral degeneration of the noble class in the realm of feudal system, Hong Myung-hee went one more step to write a historical novel based on the modern thought of antifeudalism. His novel is full of main characters comprised of the people, not noble class, yangban. And Pak Chi-won selected classical Chinese as his writing medium and then, as a result, his achievement partial and limited in the aspects of realism and characteristic of national literature, but Hong Myung-hee had perfect command of literary and colloquial style of hangul and could accomplish a richer artistic outcome. Such differences did not come from individual capabilities of two writers but result from the dissimilarity of their age. In spite of the differences, we have to take notice of the fact that they share a cardinal and fundamental same ground. And when we remember that Hong Myung-hee has remarked on the literature of Pak Chi-won that his literature cherished "the spirit of Chosŏn", it would be able to say that Lim Kkeok-jeong inherited from the achievement of Pak Chi-won's literature in a progressive way. And Park Chi-won's literature was one of the main sources of influence on Lim Kkeok-jeong.