<이춘풍전> 이본으로서의 <진시효열녹>과 그 가치

Abstract

This study examines the value of “JinshiHyoYeolNok”, held by the National Hangeul Museum, as a variant of The Tale of “Leechunpungjeon”. “JinshiHyoYeolNok” has yet to be properly introduced to academia, but its narrative structure—featuring elements such as "squandering of all wealth and falling into clerk" and "rescue by a wife disguised as an subordinate general (裨將)"—closely mirrors that of “Leechunpungjeon”. Therefore, this study positions “JinshiHyoYeolNok” as a variant of “Leechunpungjeon” and examines its narrative characteristics. Before delving into the work, the bibliographic details of “JinshiHyoYeolNok” were reviewed. Focusing on the inscription "Guangxu eighth year" (光緖八年) and the handwriting, as well as place names, it was suggested that this manuscript could date back to 1882 or earlier. This estimation of era positions this manuscript as the oldest known variant of “Leechunpungjeon”, making its value as a variant particularly significant. This discovery offers a new perspective on the formation period of “Leechunpungjeon”, which has been a recent topic of scholarly debate. In terms of its internal characteristics, “JinshiHyoYeolNok” stands out as the most distinctive among the previously studied variants of “Leechunpungjeon”. The narrative structure of “JinshiHyoYeolNok” focuses on "the wife's rescue" and "the reconciliation of the family through moral influence," aligning with the characteristics of the emergent "E-type" variant. This feature is further confirmed by the epilogue added by the scribe at the end of the work. The discovery of new variants and their introduction to expand existing research remains a path scholars should continue to pursue. The discovery of “JinshiHyoYeolNok” not only contributes to the study of “Leechunpungjeon”, but also serves as a significant case for advancing the broader field of social novels.