린위탕(林語堂)의 ‘유머’ 속에 담긴 문학적 유토피아 － 자유주의 정치사상을 바탕으로

Abstract

Writers strive to reflect their surrounding societal culture through their works, and so did the contemporary Chinese writers who had confronted chaotic and turbulent periods of China. In particular, they were to express their political views in their works so as to englighten the people after The May Fourth Movement. However, as the socialist realist style became the mainstream literary trends in China, many writers who did not follow the style had been forgotten from the Chinese literary history. Lin Yutang, one of the writers with liberalist political view, could not earn positive reviews regardless of his active domestic and foreign writings due to his political stance. Yet, his achievements in 1930's Chiense literary world were too crucial to overlook. He published several magazines including analects, human world and space style which introduced and fostered humor in Chinese essay style. It was possible due to his human oriented liberalist view that he devleoped during his education in the United States of America, mainly by New Humanism of Irving Babbitt. With such basis, Lin Yutang believed that literature has its value in the expression of individuality and discovery of human nature. Once actively participated in politics, Lin tried to rectify Chinese literary world that was exceedingly political as well as depraved by extreme utilitarianism by introducing the elements “humor” to Chinese literary world, while at the same time, promoting liberalist political views in China. As a writer who dreamed to expess individuality through humor in literature, Lin Yutang’s life and virtue were deeply connected with humor. Furthurmore, his eloquent usage of humor later gave him the designation as the “Master of Humor,” and “Teacher of Humor.”