옌거링(嚴歌苓) 소설 《죄수 루옌스(陸犯焉識)》에 나타난 실존의식 연구

Abstract

Further popularized in Korea through the director Zhang Yimou’s film Coming Home, Yan Geling’s novel The Criminal Lu Yanshi covers the vicissitudes of the protagonist Lu Yanshi’s life against the backdrop of Chinese modern history in the 20th century. Each life stage underwent by the elite intellect Lu Yanshi is in touch with the life experiences of individuals in history. As a result, the novel is also addressed in various categories, including intellectual narratives, family narratives, Bildungsroman, and concentration camp literature. However, the consistent thematic consciousness that largely penetrates the novel is the question of human existence. Thus, this paper examined an individual’s choices in history and the changing aspects of life according to those choices around the character of Lu Yanshi. Moreover, it aimed to explore the process and significance of how this character searches for the meaning of his existence. In particular, existing historical materials, specifically works with the subject matter of Cultural Revolution, deal with the direct exposure of and appeal for certain historical and political events whereas The Criminal Lu Yanshi is more focused on the everyday life and inner experiences of an individual. This conjures up the memory of an individual that was overshadowed by the collective memory and narrative while, concurrently, newly discovering ‘I’ within history. When bearing in mind that The Criminal Lu Yanshi is based on the records written in prison, it is fair to say that the entire narrative of the novel is integrated into the process for Lu Yanshi to exist as his true self.