박경리 [토지]에 나타난 '굴절'(屈折)의 원리와 인물 정체성의 문제

Abstract

Park, Kyung-Ri is a prolific writer. The first aim of this essay is to study <The Land> in the stream of the entire works of Park, Kyung-Ri. We can find three Types of Character in Park's works. First type is the characters who pursue absolute value of the only thing, alienated from family and society. Their identity is fixed. Contrary to this first type, second type is the characters who diversify values, connecting family and society. Their identity is created. Third type is opposed to the first type. The characters of this type treat value indiscriminately. Their identity is negated or unfixed. The writer's criticism on the reality is revealed through this type of characters. The first type is predominant in Park's earlier works and then the second type is gradually appeared in her later works. The major character of <The Land> belongs to the second type. This essay calls 'bending(屈折)' what copes with the conflict situation through diversification of value. In this works, family is fundamental theme, which is located in between 'I' and a 'nation'. We can inspect characters who desire family restoration[formation] discover new value in the Independence Movement. They support the Movement. And there are characters who give up family(or confronts family trouble) take part in the Independence Movement. They expand the horizon of life, discovering new value in the Movement. These character creates the Public Self. In <The Land>, we can find the problem of a Status System and the characters whose selves are injured by this system. To restore the injured self, they have the will of revolution of reality. By the way, in the Period of Japanese Imperialism the characters who have the will 'bends' to regaining a Country's Independence. Being in course of breaking from the consciousness of social position, they creates the Transitional Self.