‘나’의 재사유와 새로운 공동체의 감각－해방기 허준 소설 연구－

Abstract

In this paper I intend to take a closer look at the understanding of Heo Jun’s literature as a straight transition from the ‘I’ to the ‘Community’ by paying special attention to the problem of ‘I’ in his works from the Korean Liberation Period. Heo Jun points out the contradiction of the ‘Community’ which uses ‘freedom’ as a banner, yet seeks to restrict the freedom of individuals under the guise of ‘ideology’ and ‘ethics’ and suggests the ‘I’ as a key concept for overcoming this contradiction. Heo Jun’s exploration of ‘I’ and ‘Community’ can be seen clearly in his works from the Liberation Period, 「Flickering Light(jandeung)」, 「Yellow Plum Journal(hwangmaeilji)」, and 「At the Inner Study Room(sokseupjaksil-aeseo)」. 「Flickering Light」 brings new discussion to the problem of ‘I’ through lonliness and reflects the author’s existential worries about returning home and the birth of a new Choson after Liberation. The 「Yellow Plum Journal」 shows direct conflict between the individual and the communal, but what the author’s positive image of the ‘Community’ makes an appearance. Meanwhile, 「At the Inner Study Room」 shows the author’s realistic worries about the idealistic relationship he has shown between the individual and the community. When considering these points, the understanding of Heo Jun’s level-headed meditation on reality as him being a not fully realized politicist needs to be reevaluated. On the contrary, Heo Jun’s literary works are ‘political’ in the sense that they explore the question of ‘what form of government is needed?’ in the Korean Liberation Period through the struggle between ‘I’ and the ‘Community.’