시원(柿園) 김기동 선생의 고소설 발굴 성과에 대하여

Abstract

Siwon Kim Gi-dong(1926~1986) was one of the first generation researchers of classical novel that laid down the foundation in the field of the classical novel research after the Korean War. His name in his accomplishment or in the research history of classical novel has been mentioned all the time when the classical novel research outcome is reviewed on periodic basis. However, it would be true that his academic accomplishment has not really been spot-lighted as his works are described in bundle with other researchers of his time, such as, Na Son, Kim Dong-uk, Cheon Bong, and Lee Neung-woo, and even if his publication was mentioned, it would be a brief description for its implication. Today, after approximately 30 years since his death, only way to find out the academic outcome of Siwon would be restructuring by facilitating the critiques on his monograph by the scholars of his time regarding monograph, various internet data to confirm from various press media and so forth in a dimensional way. Pursuant to five volumes of monograph in the process of classical novel discovery, main methodology, implication of publications, it could be divided into five periods of (1) pre and post of publication of The Introduction to Korean Literature (1955), (2) pre and post period of publication of The Introduction to Classical Novel of Korea (1956), (3) pre and post period of publication of Novel Theory in Yijo Dynasty (1959), (4) pre and post period of publication of Yijo Dynasty Novel Research (1974), and, (5) pre and post period of publication of Classic Novel Research of Korea (1981). Siwon established a great scheme of his study in “presentation of data discovery, reading of data, and presentation of contents (main theme) and classical novel implication” and then set the subject of data mentioned by Maurice Courant and Kim Tae-jun for the discovery and reading, and he personally sought to find the foregoing by visiting National Library, university libraries, personally possessed publications and so forth. And, each time such a research result is summarized, the study outcome has been submitted in the monograph. The monograph has shown different looks each time it is published. New editions add the contents and the recent research outcome are also reflected as well. As such, those classical novels that are newly discovered and summarized with conviction for approximately 30 years would reach approximately 400 pieces. This article has handled such contents.