해외문학파의 문학론과 조선문학의 위상학(位相學)-임화 이전의 이식문학론에 대하여

Abstract

The Haeoe Munhak(Foreign Literature) group was established in Tokyo in 1927 with the publication of the magazine Haeoemunhak. The Haeoe Munhak group’s central figures were Yi Ha-yoon, Jeong In-seob, Kim Jin-seob, Lee Heon-goo, and Ham Dae-hoon. These figures were among the first exchange students to major in foreign literatures at university. After 1930 the Haeoe Munhak group was active in literary publishing and journalism, and also contributed to the development of modern theater by establishing the Society for the Study of Dramatic Art. Unlike the Nationalist or Proletarian literature groups of the time, the Haeoe Munhak group put forth no political stance. However, they did consistently argue that the modern literature of Joseon must begin with the importation of foreign literatures, and that extensive translation of world literature was therefore necessary. The Haeoe Munhak group thereby offered a new topology for Joseon Literature. While the basis for Joseon literature had previously been found in nation, humanity, individuality, emotion, art, class, and so on, the Haeoe Munhak group located the basis for Joseon literature in a process of symbolic accumulation via translation of world literature. They argued that the ‘new literature’ of Joseon was formed via the translation of foreign literatures, and that National and Proletarian literature had been based upon poor translations of foreign literature. They believed that modern Joseon literature could only be developed through translation, accumulation, and transplantation. It is therefore interesting to note that this argument formed another context for a theory of ‘transplanted literature’ like that put forth by Im Hwa.