여성영웅소설 <백학선전>에 나타난 남성인물 형상과 의미

Abstract

This study began with an awareness of the problem that discussions on character traits in female hero novels are focused on interpreting female protagonists, and that ‘male characters’ in female hero novels are not discussed in depth. Therefore, in this study, we looked at how male characters are portrayed in Baekhakjeonjeon, a female hero novel, and then examined the meaning of the male characters in Baekhaejeonjeon. Jo Eun-ha’s companion, Yoo Baek-ro, had outstanding qualities to become a hero, but was blinded by her love for Jo Eun-ha and failed to become a hero. Choi Guk-yang was a wicked man who was greedy for power, and he thought that Yoo Baek-ro, a descendant of a loyal family, would interfere with his ability to wield power, so he tried to get rid of him by sending him to war. In addition, the evil deeds that Choi Guk-yang committed against Jo Eun-ha and her family were driven by Choi Guk-yang’s family’s desire for subordination and prosperity. The male auxiliary characters, Emperor and Ma Dae-yeong, who appear in Baekhaejeonjeon are depicted as characters who recognize the loyalty of the male and female protagonists in the narrative. The reason Jo Eun-ha was able to go to the battlefield, lead the army, and perform heroic acts without hiding that she was a woman was because the emperor recognized Jo Eun-ha’s loyalty, and the reason Yu Baek-ro was able to save her life was because Ma Dae-yeong knew that Yu Baek-ro was a loyal subject. Jo Eun-ha in Baekhaejeonjeon is a female hero who shows the aspects of a virtuous woman, and the male characters that appear in Baekhaejeonjeon are portrayed in a way that emphasizes Jo Eun-ha’s zeal and loyalty. Through this, it can be confirmed that the intention to emphasize and highlight the zeal and loyalty of the female hero Jo Eun-ha is inherent in the images of male characters in Baekhaejeonjeon. Additionally, Choi Guk-yang is a male figure who was embodied for the purpose of reinforcing didacticism rather than popular interest. In this respect, Baekhaejeonjeon can be said to be a work that shows that personal desires should not go too far and disturb social order by presenting a wicked person like Choi Kuk-yang who aspires for the continuation of the family and showing the punishment.