이병주 소설에 나타난 종교의 의미

Abstract

This writing starts with the fact that problems about religion arefrequently mentioned and the method of dealing with religion is alsoconsistently shown in Lee, Byungju's novels. In addition, this writingjudges that there might be a special meaning in that the religious factor,which is rarely addressed in key description of common novels, isuniformly suggested in diverse works; thus, this writing intended to makeits meaning clear. In case of some female characters in Lee, Byungju's novels, they showan implicit attitude towards religion, but that is just nominal, and in caseof an intellectual male character looking at such a female character, themale character shows a cynical attitude. In addition, Lee, Byungju's novel『Happiness Word Dictionary』, the writer suggests the limit of religionthrough the pseudo religion problem of the so-called Okhwangsangjereligious group. The key point in religion stated in that novel is that whenreligion intends to have the strength of an organization beyond the role ofreligion, the religion cannot but degenerate into exclusivism and egotism. However, the writer Lee, Byungju doesn't address religion in order topoint out and criticize the limit of religion itself, but uses religion as allegorical device for highlighting and criticizing a problem of ideology thatcut across through the modern history of Korea. Through this, the writerexposes the futility of the past history where a personal choice couldn't butbe suppressed and forced, and reveals his belief that it's definitelyimpossible to accept anything which oppresses freedom. After all, thewriter repeatedly puts emphasis on the literary attitude of 'a Human',which is the very essence of Lee, byungju literature irrespective of religionand ideology, through the allegorical device of 'religion.'