<홍길동전>의 서사전략과 작가의 현실인식

Abstract

Until now, there have been a number of study performance about <Hong Gil-dong Jeon>. However, about theme and recognition of the writer, there are various opinions from reform of wrong society to realization of individual value. This study investigated composition of <Hong Gil-dong Jeon>, characteristic of figure, and the writer’s recognition on reality focusing on viewpoint of the writer’s narration strategy considering consciousness level of the general public readers in then times. Gil-dong born as a child by a concubine has issue of discrimination between a legitimate child and a child by a concubine. But this issue has a character that cannot be solved even though Minister Hong allows Gil-dong to ‘call his father and his older brother’. So, Gil-dong intends to leave home in any way to struggle against government. ‘Conspiracy to kill Gil-dong by Choran’ would be an event strategically designed by the writer to provide justification for leaving home without giving damage on reason as a child. Gil-dong acts to save the poor, constructs a nation called Yul-do. And in the story, Gil-dong’s human aspect and hero image for the public are emphasized. All this can be understood as the writer’s strategy to draw sympathy and support from contemporary readers of the general public who were permeated in Confucius moral concept while to disclose unreasonable social reality in Chosun. The author of <Hong Gil-dong Jeon> thought that if abolition of discrimination between a legitimate child and a child by a concubine, relief of the poor through expose of corrupt official etc. are realized, feudal ideal society can be embodied. But on the other hand, he seemed to recognize that such ideal society cannot be realized in reality of Chosun. The writer made image of Gil-dong as figure with capacity of superman and Gil-dong constructs ideal country in Yul-do after leaving Chosun. This reflects recognition of the writer that not only abolition of discrimination between a legitimate child and a child by a concubine but also peaceful world where people can live well cannot be realized. <Hong Gil-dong Jeon> focuses on activity of Gil-dong who is hero. Here, the writer’s view of the world centered on hero is reflected on the work. But the story shows aspect that bandits actively tries to acquire excellent leader like Gil-dong - the bandits as ones of the general public gather together and seek measures to solve their realistic problem. In the point, it seems that Heo Gyun, the writer of <Hong Gil-dong Jeon> recognized role of the general public and their importance in development of history in some degree.