최수철 소설에 미친 카프카의 영향 - 「변신」과 「매미의 일생」을 중심으로

Abstract

This article examines Franz Kafka's influence on Korean contemporary writer Choe Sucheol by comparing and analyzing The Metamorphosis by Kafka and A Ciacada's Life by Choe. By close reading and analyzing, the author illuminates that the two works have the same overall structure consist of separate chapters and both feature the same motif of metamorphosis in which the main figure of the story accuses the absurdity of the real life by realizing his meaninglessness as an outcast in the capitalistic society. The problem of communication in A Cicada's Life characterized by a speech impediment and using of abnormal language also indicate that Choe Sucheol obviously parodied Kafka's The Metamorphosis. In spite of Kafka's influence Choe Sucheol searches for his own literary style in displaying the expansion of the space by metamorphosing the narrator into a active cicada and increasing the reliability by setting the metamorphosis occurred in a reverie. Choe also reveal his will to surpass The Metamorphosis in suggesting the possible hope for the future society by using plots of exuviation and amnesia in which the narrator dualize self and escape from the past desire. The author also points out that abstruseness of indirect and metaphorical expressions in Choe's novel, another strong influence from Kafka, could provide unavoidable repression to the readers who are struggling in the present capitalistic society.