이상화 가(家)의 서간들과 동경(東京)

Abstract

Daegu is the important starting point and main base of ‘Lee, Sang-Hwa’s life. He could acquire the modern knowledge and develop Anti-Japanese national consciousness through ‘Woo-Hyun Seoru(友弦書樓)’ within the family circle. Tokyo has a special meaning of ‘Lee, Sang-Hwa’s life. He experienced the Great Kanto Earthquake which was shocking and founded the direction of his literature. This article attempted to clarify the meaning of Tokyo in his literature based on some of newly discovered letters. The letters which came back and forth between him and his family show his mental landscapes in Tokyo. His poem, 「In Tokyo」, is an important work to clarify the placeness of Lee, Sang-Hwa’s literature. Tokyo is the place which he had not only stayed longest in abroad but also raised his national, literary consciousness. 「In Tokyo」 shows the initial development of his literature, but, as previously known, did not start from the sentimental romanticism. The fact that 「In To-kyo」 and 「To My Bedroom」 were created at the same time in the age of 『Paek-Jo(白潮)』 is noticeable. This made it possible to revaluate the existing evaluation about ‘Lee, Sang-Hwa’s literature that his literature had been shifted from the sentimental romanticism to the proletarian literature. The newly-discovered letters show that he did not start his literature from only tear and sentiment.