장애인 소설에 나타난 ‘장애’ 인식의 양상* - 장애인 창작 소설을 중심으로 -

Abstract

Perception on disabilities in novels on and by people with disabilities tends to objectify oneself to either reject the perception of majority of non-disabled people or accept the reality of disabilities and explore self identity. Yet it is interesting that disabilities as new signs of ‘acceptance’ and ‘solidarity’ are perceived in the extended territory of disabilities embracing not only physical disabilities but also disadvantaged people in the society. Main characters in <Sunflower Love> and <Man of My Mother> reject the self image that is asexual because of disabilities and are sublimated into men in love commonly perceived in the society; in <A Picnic>, <The Camel Family> and <Fallen Leaves of God>, the main characters with disabilities witness and internalize the painful reality of disabilities to explore their self identities. The reality of violence nesting in the disabled bodies that forces acceptance is no longer a threat to them. <The Low Wooden Bench Speaks> and <The Corner Shop and The Winter Tree> attempt to reach the level of void of limit due to disabilities through solidarity yet face obstacles elsewhere, which implies a rough journey toward independent perception of disabled people on disabilities. Along with novels on disabled people, novels on and by people with disabilities are significant in terms of forming a place for literary discourse that sets the direction of perception.