자기파괴와 재창조의 낭만적 유머 — 루쉰(魯迅) ≪고사신편(故事新編)≫ 후기작의 ‘유활(油滑)’을 중심으로

Abstract

Lin Yu-tang was the first Chinese to advocate “humour” in the early 1920s, but it did not attract much attention. However, in the 1930s, both intellectuals and the public discussed and enjoyed humour. Especially in 1933, when G. Bernard Shaw visited Shanghai, there was a craze for humour. The reason humour was so popular at the time was that it was also related to Shanghai’s public culture, but intellectuals regarded humor as a tool for renovation of reality. In the 1930s, China faced a crisis. Therefore, Luxun criticized Humour, who could not capture reality, and pursued a sharp laughter of criticism close to satire. On the other hand, Lin Yu-tang presented “humour” to establish modern humans that were not completed during the May 4th New Culture Movement. For him, Humour was a lifestyle and a way of looking at the world. Therefore, Chinese people with true humour have the internal power to overcome China’s reality with an active and energetic attitude. As such, the confrontation between the two stems from the difference in fundamental understanding of humour. Meanwhile, Luxun uses a new style of humour called “Youhua(油滑)” in the latter part of Old Stories Retold. Youhua contains laughter from the excess of words, and through this laughter, attempts to overcome the ironies of reality, including writer-himself. And finally, in the endless cycle of self-destruction and re-creation, the reality of contradiction and inconsistency was recognized and resolved. In this respect, this humour corresponds to “romantic humour”. Through this, Luxun breaks off from his past self and takes the first step toward a new world.