위화(余華) 《제7일(第七天)》 중 자살 의미 연구

Abstract

This study attempted to clarify the social meaning of the suicide of Li Qing and Liu Mei, the two characters of 《The 7th Day》 YuHua conveys the social problems of current Chinese society through the lives and suicide of the two people. First of all, extreme capitalism and individualism weaken social bonds, and the nation’s social integration and regulatory functions are not working properly. Second, it shows that the status of women in this society has fallen further. Widespread goldenism has reduced women to commodities, calling women’s appearance a pass, intangible asset. Third, it conveys the problem of ‘watching psychology’, a chronic Chinese bad habit. Netizens, a new onlooker in the Internet era, not only abet suicide but also urge Ryu Mei to commit suicide through actions such as enjoying sports games and guiding her how and where to commit suicide. Nor do they sense that today, when Liu Mei commits suicide, could be their future. Fourth, it reveals the pain of a hopeless society. The people at the scene of suicide project their lives onto the suicides, telling them that they are also living a hopeless life that has lost hope enough to want to commit suicide. “I’d rather find a cure than a storyteller,” YuHua said. Because “I’m a patient of one person.” 《The 7th Day》 not only confronts the deaths of the deceased and the suicide of Li Qing and Liu Mei, which reflect the social situation, but also conveys the urgent need for “rest” and “equality” in the society through the entire composition of the work. YuHua says, “I’d rather be a person looking for a cure than a storyteller, because I’m a patient.” In 《The 7th Day》 along with the deaths of the dead reflecting society’s situation, Li Qing and Liu Mei’s suicide not only face the diseases of society as if doctors were examining patients, but also through Yang Jin-bao and Wu Chao’s sacrificial love, people can enjoy “rest” in true love, and “equality” is desperately needed in this society.