조선 후기 고소설에 나타난 罪罰을 통해 본 소수자 혐오 양상과 그 의미 — 醜貌⋅鬼物⋅幼蟲⋅病身의 형상화를 중심으로 —

Abstract

This study is aimed at examining and considering the formats of conflicts and the causes of abhorrence against minorities displayed thereof during the latter part of the Joseon Dynasty through the embodiment of hideous appearance, evil spirits, vermin, and physical deformation, which are the formats of punishment, illustrated in the old novels of the time. Old novels generally employ ‘encouragement of good and punishment for evil’ as the worldly values, thereby focusing on depicting the conflicts centered around good and evil, as well as the punishment of evil deeds most importantly. What should be noted is the trend of the distinction between goodness and evilness of the characters appearing in the novels becoming even more definitive towards the latter period of the Joseon Dynasty. In particular, there had been a marked increase of novels that depicted those who safeguard the orderliness within the family clan as virtuous persons and those who threatened such orderliness as evil persons. Accordingly, those who failed to comply with the orderliness of the family clan were subjected to an extensive range of punishments. Moreover, women and disabled persons who were the minorities deemed to be inferior amidst of the power dynamics within the family clan become the targets of abhorrence. Accordingly, they were borne with hideous appearances (<Hanjosamsunggibong>), countless vermin gushing out of their bodies (<Wanwolhoemaengyeon>), returning as atrocious evil spirits (<Wanwolhoemaengyeon>), and becoming blind, paralyzed in the lower body, sexually impotent, and intellectually disabled as the results of punishments for their crimes committed. (<Hanhuryongjeon>, <Yuhwagiyeon>) depict the images of minorities with descriptions such as foul odors, larva, insects, foulness, ghosts with bull’s heads, evil spirits, monkeys, physical deformations, worthless persons to incite strong senses of abhorrence. They were then either eliminated or reformed into persons who were in compliance with the ideologies of the ruling group to be incorporated into such group Depiction of women and disabled persons as monstrous characters as well as displays of abhorrence against them could be seen as the results of reflection of the uneasy consciousness of the male principals with power and their psychological horrors of being castrated from the status quo they enjoyed. Monsters are the manifestation of the internal impulses of principals that are difficult to understand from the moral viewpoint of humanity. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the monsters created by the principals are in fact the victims of the social powers rather than violent authority. It was possible to deduce the mentality of the social classes striving to continue to enjoy their status quo in the latter period of the Joseon Dynasty towards hideous appearances that underwent hierarchical changes through the aforementioned punishments for what they considered crimes.