여담의 구실과 서사전략

Abstract

Like other stories, novels have beginnings and endings. In the organization of literary works, where to begin and end are important strategies. If novels have the form of biographies, the beginnings and endings can be very obvious. Modern novels disturb the linear stability of biographical format and make the beginning and ending ambiguous. In order to do that, room is made for miscellaneous stories which interrupt the development of the main story. These stories are called digressions. Descendants of Cain is an excellent text to understand the features of digression. This novel deals with historical events which occurred in North Korea just after the liberation of Korea. The events depend on memories in essence. The fragments of remembered stories intrude the main plot as digressions. Novels are composed of a main plot and sub plots. They form the outline of stories. Descendants of Cain has three storylines. Depending on the readers' point of view in interpreting the discourse, the novel can be read as romantic, ethical, or ideological narratives. The digressions in the novel make the love between Park Hoon and Oh Jaknyeo secret. The digressions aim to achieve moral victory and justify the main characters' attitudes toward their lives, human beings' sense of honor, and ideology. Being essential elements in narratives, digressions are formed by narrative strategies for the effect of discourse.