재생에 나타난 멜로드라마적 양식

Abstract

This paper analyzes melodramatic aspects of Revival written by Lee, Gwang-su. Revival shows how the Joseon society changed after Movement of March First. By depicting an intellectual, female character’s wretched course and a male character’s attitude toward ethical purity in a straightforward manner, the writer describes people who become money and pleasure-centered. Melodramatic aspects of Revival can be defined as follows. First, dichotomic contrast between sublimity and vulgarity is represented. Because a woman who he is in love with betrays him, Bongu is in despair. He decides to get revenge. Eventually, he regains ethical purity and self-pride. Soonyoung has a mental conflict between material, physical desires and true love. She throws away love, has hardships, and finally commits suicide. In this novel, while Bongu is an archetype of sublimity, Soonyoung is that of vulgarity. The Sublimity and vulgarity showing aspects of ethical bipolarity are schematized. Ethical bipolarity in melodramas is represented with an intention to publicize moral laws which are based on historical and social value system of the times. Second, melodramatic aspects shown in structures of the novel are found in the linear plot by the repetition of the same events. Linear plot increases readers’ concentration span on the novel and attracts readers’ attention as well. Third, internal points of view of certain characters and dialogues describe the novel. These are not the only characteristics of melodramas. They decrease the psychological distance toward the target of the novel and induce reader’ absorption and empathy.In conclusion, ethical bipolarity and distance-decreasing method toward readers are the melodramatic characteristics of Revival. These characteristics are shown repeatedly in other novels of the writer and form archetypes in the formation of popularity of Lee, Gwang-su’s novels.