중일전쟁시기 인간 실존에 관한 문학적 고찰 — 바진(巴金)의 《차가운 밤(寒夜)》을 중심으로

Abstract

Cold Nights is the last novel by Ba Jin published in 1947. This novel is set in Chongqing during the Sino-Japanese War, and revolves around Wang Wenxuan, his wife Zeng Shusheng, and Wang’s mother, and the constant conflict between these characters is set as the main plot. In general, the novel is read as an expression of despair felt by Ba Jin during the Sino-Japanese War, especially through the images of “winter” and “night,” and the conflict and tragic ending of the characters. However, according to Ba Jin, the core of this novel is not “tragedy,” but “hope” beyond the harsh environment of war and the tragedies of the characters. From this point of view, it would be more accurate to focus on the “question of human existence” rather than on the “tragedy caused by war.” These questions raised by the work can be understood in connection with Sartre’s consideration that human subjects arise in relationships with others. Sartre points out that “the subject has an internal relationship with the other, and the subject’s inner nature is only possible through the other.” At the same time, he said, “For humans, existence precedes the essence,” adding, “One man’s fate cannot be determined by external forces,” and “One man’s fate is only the result of his own decision and choice.” Therefore, in the light of the relationship between the others suggested by Satre, this paper analyzes the Ba Jin Cold Nights by placing the focus on the self-subjective formed by ‘gaze’ of the others, and the relationship of others called ‘love’.