근대계몽기 단군신화 담론의 서사적 재현 - 박은식을 중심으로 -

Abstract

In this paper, the researcher closely examined the processes of demythologizing and remythologizing the Dangun Myth in connection with the appearances of the state and national theory during the modern-enlightenment period through Park Eun-sik’s historical and biographical novels as well as the type of novel that deals with the records of journey in dream. In Park Eun-sik’s biographic novel, 「Biography of CheonGaesomun」(泉蓋蘇文), Discourses on Dangun had been reinterpreted as the origins that constitute the nation’s identity, and also as the state preceptor (國祖, pronounced, “Kukjo”) who makes up the nation’s lineage, so thus, such characteristics as a mythical figure was cleaned out. In his historical and biographical novel, the 「Biography of Myeongnim Dap-bu」(明臨答夫) and a novel dealing with the story of journey in dream, 「MongbaegeumTaejo」(夢拜金太祖), Dangun had been shaped and treated as a deified existence, and described as an aspect of re-mythologization in the extent of the “indigenous Korean religion worshipping Dangun” (大倧敎, called, “Daejonggyo”). Among the writings of Park Eun-sik, the reason that discourses on Dangun have been considered important is that there was the necessity of a symbolic figure who would play a pivot role for national community, and also of an objective character that would shed light of hope on the dark and dismal road of nation’s future. Dangun who has been demythologized as the substantial state preceptor, and Dangun who had been remythologized as deified figure, both were simultaneously reconstructed in the Park Eun-sik’s literature. And, therefore, it was able to be constituted and positioned as the identity of nation. From another standpoint, Dangun was also able to be symbolized and depicted as the objective character who would be able to have people’s maximum potential achieved. Therefore, discourses on Dangun during the modern-enlightenment period could have been spread and expanded toward the perspective of discovering the founding father of the nation, and of reproducing myth. And it can also be said that such endeavors were attempted and availed exclusively within the range of national and enlightenment movements.