『여범첩록(女範捷錄)』에 나타난 확장된 여성 덕목의 교육적 의미

Abstract

This study identifies the expanded feminine virtues discussed in Nüfan Jielu (女範捷錄) of Nü Sishu (女四書) and examines their educational significance. Although Nüfan Jielu included feudal ethics, it distinguished itself from other texts of Nü Sishu by presenting women as capable of academic talent, virtue, loyalty, and righteousness, which were considered the exclusive domain of men. It also emphasized the importance of women’s education by presenting the lives of exemplary figures, similar to the biographical yeohoonseo (女訓書), while justifying the need to teach specific virtues. What was most emphasized in Nüfan Jielu was the literacy and academic ability of women shown in the Caide (才德) chapter. This chapter introduces examples of women who achieved their goals with their excellent writing skills, women who wrote books based on their knowledge, and women who worked in educational institutions with their deep understanding of the classics. Moreover, Nüfan Jielu emphasized the need to educate these abilities on a more universal level. The Zhongyi (忠義) chapter suggests that women are also capable of loyalty and righteousness. The types of women who indirectly showed loyalty included those who supported men’s loyalty, advised men to be loyal, and rebuked men for their disloyalty. Furthermore, there were women who directly expressed their loyalty by going to the battlefield and protecting the state. Nüfan Jielu showed that women were not limited to domestic duties, but could be loyal and righteous in defense of their state. In this way, Nüfan Jielu expanded the feminine virtues, which had been confined to the discourse of virtuous woman (烈 女), into the discourse of outstanding women (列女). This reflects women’s changing self-awareness, and explores the possibility of expanding feminine virtues.