『개벽』의 종교적 이상주의와 근대문학의 사상화

Abstract

The Beginning of the World(開闢) was a magazine founded by a modernization strategy of Cheondo-gyo(天道敎, The Cheondo Religion, The Religion of the Heavenly Way). Promoting the modernization of Korea, Cheondo-gyo made efforts to become a political mouthpiece for the colonized people. This line of Cheondo-gyo was originated from a double background ― the native attribute of the Cheondo-gyo itself which values people, and the intention of strengthening its social phase through improving political influence. This means that The Beginning of the World carried out its religious policy by a non-religious way. Since its first appearance, The Beginning of the World denied competition- oriented tendency of the social-evolutionary theory, and strongly emphasized people’s view of the world based on mutual aid. And literature appeared on The Beginning of the World was recognized to be important dynamic to practice people-oriented movement. Positively embracing the development of socialist movement, Cheondo- gyo tried to find practical solidarity with socialist side while fortified the logical contents of its theology. Such a political choice was obviously represented its socialistic directivity. This policy of Cheondo-gyo was the reason why The Beginning of the World could become a representative medium for socialist literature. In this process, the nature of literature on The Beginning of the World turned to be ‘ideological language’. And this change was understood to deny the initial attribute of modern literature, namely the pursuit of absolute value as modern knowledge and aesthetics.