<토지>에 나타난 여담의 수사학

Abstract

This study is aimed at re—interpret the unique narrative structure of Toji, a novel by Park, Kyong—ni, with focus on the literary technique called digression. To accomplish the objective, the following aspects of the novel are explored: the paratext and two prefaces in Part Ⅰ and Ⅳ; the transition connecting digression; functional characters, insertion aspects of digressions and related aspect of a narrative structure. Toji shows anti—digressive strategy of narration in general as a work which is placed in extremes among the novels including digressive digressive passages like In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. The paratexts inserted in the completed version(1994) reveal that the author, or an editor was cognizant of digressive passages. Some of the chapter titles suggest that digressive passages will be introduced, which are highlighted in detail. After the completion, the preface in Part Ⅳ were separated from chapter 1 of Part Ⅳ, which reflects the following. First, the digression boundaries became clearer in the latter half part. Second, the digression had a greater impact on the narrative context. The author of Toji mobilized various techniques to stitch up the digressions at a level of plot. As its representative example, cited can be the functional characters in charge of the function of information delivery and subject delivery. The typical narrative method of history manifested in Toji, in which historical facts are placed in the background, and the character’s action is not put into the scene at a historical site, has something to do with the functional use of such a character. In the latter half of this work, editorial digressions, which are inserted in the lump for subject delivery, increase and become frequent, causing the readers to judge that the narrative structure of the first half and latter half is different. Toji finally showed the open ending and narrative denouement together as the two forces of diffusion and cohesion work. Digression, as an elaborately planned unique narrative strategy from the beginning, can be said to be a naturally appearing characteristic as a result of the failure to bear the whole length and diffusion with the rupture and publication in a series, which come into existence through the co— working of the strength of diffusion and cohesion, progressing. Such a characteristic is also closely connected with the bipolar rupture of equitable creation of characters, expansion based on the embodiment principle(ecological self narrative), control of a narrative, and necessity of subject deepening(narrative self description) In short, it might be safe to say that the paradoxical and contradictory aspects of digressions in Toji, closely correspond to the principle, which is supporting Toji —employed diffusion & cohesion, and openness and shutdown, and give rise to the unique genre characteristic of Toji.