전우치(田禹治) 전승의 굴절과 반향

Abstract

This study aims to closely examine the tradition of ‘Jeonwochi’ who is the character of the 16th century in the social context. The short related narrative about him is well known to people as the legend of ‘Jeongwochi’. It is the heritage that was reflected diverse and complicated views by following generation, thereby being critical in understanding of the refractive aspect according to the character’s historical and social relations. This is the reason that a full-scale discussion has been needed about the ‘Jeonwochi legend’, which had been needed just as a part of process to create the novel of 「Jeonwochi_jeon」. First of all, there is necessity for reconstruction of the character ‘Jeon wochi’, who has been known just to be character in the 16th century with having been veiled until now. As a result of this research, it is clarified a point that ‘Jeonwochi’ comes from the ruined family along with the foundation of Joseon Dynasty, based on Gaeseong, and a point that ‘Jeonwochi’ is a character to be understood amid sensitive trace of Sahwa(士禍), which happened in the first half of the 16th century. Secondly, it substantially discussed the legend of ‘Jeonwochi’. The corresponding materials are mostly Pilgi(筆記)ㆍPaeseol(稗說). Thus, it is necessary to pursue author’s problem and the period of establishment in texts. As a result, it could be confirmed that positiveness and negativeness on ‘Jeongwochi’ coexist. Also, this aspect could be revealed most fiercely in materials of the 17th century. Especially, the negative tendency was noticeable such as that character is established remarkably as ‘antagonist’ in the middle of being made a person with supernatural power(異人化) in the 16th and 17th century. In conclusion, the fact is confirmed that ‘Jeongwochi’ is transmitted as ambivalent character, who frequently crosses the border between a good man and a bad man. In the background to form this, there are the negative conditions of the character who came from Gaeseong in early Joseon period and can do magic. These conditions of ‘Jeonwochi’ was continuously recalled to be used amid rapid changes, namely, Sahwa(士禍) & war and a party strife & a political dispute, which had been continued from the 16th century to the 17th century in Korea. This result corresponds to a very special case compared to the existing normal cases that the tradition of character is made in just one direction out of good and evil. Therefore, the tradition of ‘Jeonwochi’ is an interesting case enough to be surely taken notice to examine closely for tradition of character in social history.