한국 근대아동소설의‘소영웅(小英雄)’ 변주와 『쿠오레』 번역

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the impact of the naturalization of ‘Cuore’ on children’s literature at that time, by looking at the status of the ‘Cuore’ translated in the 1920s, and the trends that each editions of ‘Cuore’ selectively accepted, modified or adapted. In Colonial Joseon, the “Cuore” translation affected the formation of Korean children’s literature, serving as a Moral textbook to guide the birth of a modern national country and its prospective citizens. At that time, the translators of “Cuore” advocated Italy as an ideal country for the Joseon Dynasty that was worthy of the existence of the nation and its people, and emphasized that they should emulate the image of a “Brave Boy” as a virtue of making sacrifices for their country by placing Joseon and Italy in an equal relationship. The required qualities include virtues that project modern national character, such as justice, loyalty, courage, sacrifice, devotion, and compassion. Thus, “Little Hero” projects qualities as a member of the national community to the boys and serves as a medium reflecting their orientations as a modern nation. The “Little Hero” character of “Cuore” is established as a classic character of Korean children’s literature, showing a pattern of coming down from the blood-boiling brave “Yong-boy” to the “main character of endurance and devotion” that gradually sacrifices for the cause. As such, “Little Hero” gradually changes from the hero from history novels that saves the nation to the hero of everyday life, rebutting that the prospective national, the child was in the process of being configure and changed in the process of rebirth as a ‘national’.