『사씨남정기』의 여주인공 사씨의 성격 재고

Abstract

The heroine Mrs. Sa in 『Sassinamjeonggi』 has been known as a woman saint of ethics, and ideal female image of the Joseon dynasty, and also was described to contain an image of ideal subordinate under the feudal system. Such views are based on the premise that Mrs. Sa maintained an obedient and enduring attitude from first to last to keep and practice Confucius ideals thoroughly. Recently, clearly opposite views were raised to attract attention. According to this perspectives, Mrs. Sa cooperated with patriarchal system voluntarily or actively according to her practical determination, or she did her best to keep her own power and status as the lady of the house of Yoo family(劉家). These perspectives pay attention to analyze Mrs. Sa's active and independent aspects in related to patriarchal system and ideals to broaden an understanding of Mrs. Sa and 『Sassinamjeonggi』 alike. However, it might be doubtful if it is reasonable to regard her as a woman to behave in her own practical determination. I do not believe that Mrs. Sa was a woman to keep Confucius virtues or ideals thoroughly or to act pragmatically in the awareness of her reality clearly. Mrs. Sa lived mainly according to Confucius ideals or philosophy when she married Mr. Yoo until she accepted Mrs. Gyo as her husband's concubine. But, she came to understand the gap between ideal and reality as she suffered from Mrs. Gyo's slander. At last she changed herself as a woman who considered reality. Although such behaviors or decisions seem to be distorted by the Confucius virtues, it contains desirable attitudes and willingness for a human being to have as a social existence such as honest and moderate character, respect and consideration of others, direct admonition to others, understanding of ideality of herself, and uncharitableness of reality that transformed suffering of life into impetus of life. Not only ancient but also present readers of 『Sassinamjeonggi』 are enthusiastic to her having sympathy of her suffering and pleasing with her return because of her characteristics as above.