19세기 소설론의 장(場)과 그 담론들 -소설 서문과 평비문을 중심으로

Abstract

After dividing the aspects of debate on 19th century's novel theories into three groups : full-length Chinese-character novel writers and their colleagues; Namgarok writer; and reviewed novel writers and reviewers, this paper explored them from 4 perspectives : reason to develop novel theories and main concerns; exploration of the writing style and identity of novels; perception about novel; and motive of creating novels and realization of themes. Through this study, it was found that the field (場) of the 19th century's novel theories contained following significance; They tried to define the characteristics of novel from different angles based on their own experience, literary orientation and preference. Eventually they showed different perspectives each other in their reason to develop novel theories, main concerns and perception about novel. As all of three groups defined novels in their own view individually, it deserves to be called "Field of individual definition about novel". This also revealed their thorough distinction concept that only the novels from their own groups were worthy among numerous novels that dominates the world at that time rather than their recognition of then value of 'novel' as an universal form. Therefore, it could be considered as 'a field of establishing the criteria for valuable novel and distinguishing them each other'. However, in many cases, they showed common stands in the aspects such as realization of themes supported by the foothold of novel writing, the utilization of novel phrases, the writing style and essence of novel and ethical examples. Hence, even though they never intended, it functioned as a field that established the characteristic of writing style (or format) called 'novel'. After all, in the field of the 19th century's novel theories, opinion exchange on novel among the groups was not made but it was deemed to be a field that explored and defined the writing style or format from different aspects and debated for their values.