한문단편의 ‘겸인(傔人)’ 소재와 그 의미

Abstract

This study investigated the appearance of Gyeomin, as the material of a literature, and the aspect of narrative, targeting a Chinese-character short story. Gyeomin was a special being of capital of late Joseon, who helped miscellaneous works at noble families for a while then became an officer(Seori, 書吏) of central government office since the late 17th century. Gyeomin was regularly treated in Chinese-character short stories since the late 18th century. Target of the stories were Yeom Heedo(廉希道) during King Sukjong, Woo Yukbul(禹六不) during King Youngjo, etc., and they had symbolization as the image of Gyeomin through depiction of fall of the owner or individual life. That is, Gyeomin ap-peared and became a target for narrative in the political turbulence during King Sukjong- King Youngjo. Furthermore, loyalty of characters of Gyeomin stood out in the Chinese-character short stories that treated No Dongji(盧同知), An Suwook(安守旭), Hong Dongseok(洪東錫). However, on the other side, practical and universal desire ex-isted, such as display of practical ability, accumulation of wealth, and succession of Seori(officer) position of Gyeomin. Loyalty required in Gyeomin and Gyeomin’s desire seemed to be available for exchange within the narrative. Gyeomin was perceived to be loyal to his owner or the boss, on the other hand, he was admitted to pursuit or acquis-ition of wealth. Also, Gyeomin was a significant being in respect of party strife, accord-ingly, the image of Gyeomin was described based on the necessity of the party. That is, Gyeomin, the material of Chinese-character short stories, was put up as the main charac-ter of a story as the middle class that had ambivalence in the political situation of that time and the economic basis of late Joseon.