강용흘의 『초당』에 나타난 전략적 글쓰기 연구

Abstract

This paper focuses on the analysis of Younghill Kang’s The Grass Roof, which was largely regarded as a successful introduction of old Korea and its traditions to the Western readers in the 1930s, as a criticism of binary opposition: one of modern Western ideologies which contributed to the formation of the Western ‘Self.’ This novel succeeded in criticizing the modern Western ideology of binary opposition - Self/Other, West/East, modern/ancient, progressive/primitive, White/colored, civilization/nature, Christianity/heathen, moral/savage, superior/inferior, dominant/submissive - by taking double strategies of writing. On the surface, his writing seems to conform to ideological conventions, which seems to admit modern Western Orientalism and to satisfy its fantasy of White supremacy. At a deeper level, his writing resists those conventions, criticizing the colonialism and the imperialism of new Japanese and modern Western countries, either subtly or obviously, leading to the demystification of the Western idea of binary opposition. Furthermore, he takes a balanced viewpoint to show an alternative vision for humanity in the future, one which emphasizes open-mindedness, objectivity toward others, and respect for their differences. Younghill Kang’s strategic writing comes mainly from his unique identity as a Korean American writer who experienced the Korean diaspora and exile in America, and who had to survive as an other in a modern Western society. Through this analysis of The Grass Roof, I suggest Younghill Kang should be recognized as a pioneer who criticizes the modern ideology of binary opposition and shows a postmodern vision of multiculturalism in the heyday of Western modernity's power through his strategic writing.