김현승의 고독과 시적 형상화에 관한 고찰ㅡ시 「절대고독」을 중심으로

Abstract

This paper thoroughly examined the true solitude that forms Hyŏn-sŭng Kim’s internal emotion as well as its factors and background and analyzed the poetic imagery of solitude in Absolute Solitude, which is the peak of solitude. Furthermore, the study examined how paradoxical oxymorons function in poetic imagery through his poem “Absolute Solitude.” Most papers on Hyŏn-sŭng Kim’s Solitude have focused on the period of Absolute Solitude and made various arguments on his solitude as well as poems on it, but have barely mentioned the factors and background of solitude formation. By focusing on this fact, the paper probed into the factors and background of solitude in the formative years of his personality from a psychological viewpoint. Using paradox and oxymoron in his poems, Hyŏn-sŭng Kim develops a panorama of meaning by arranging facts and contradictions and creating tension. Paradoxical oxymorons which go beyond general misunderstandings and demand diverse interpretations also form the majority of the narrative of his poem “Absolute Solitude.” Kim experiences a new world when he reaches the peak of solitude, and such stage has limitations that are difficult to be expressed and described in words. To effectively embody this, Kim used advanced symbols, metaphors, paradoxical expression, and oxymoron. As one can agree with the methodological value of paradoxical oxymoron by comprehending the situation of the Absolute Solitude period, interpreting a paradoxical oxymoron which shares close reciprocity with solitude can be effective to discern the truth of Absolute Solitude. If the internalization of poem that started from an interest in external nature or object into meta-physical question is one of the characteristics of present-day poetry, Hyŏn-sŭng Kim is the pioneer of Korean present-day poetry. For Kim, poetry was also an inner means to pursue the infinite, mystery world beyond the finiteness and an internal imagery. Based on a metaphysical introspection on poetry of modernism tendency, Hyŏn-sŭng Kim achieves the essence of ideal, spiritual poetry. A question on how the recognition of a pantheistic, finite world is possible in a metaphysical introspection leads to more various and wider follow-up research. Keywords: Hyŏn-sŭng Kim, Absolute Solitude, Paradox, Oxymoron, Pantheistic, Autonomous self