바진(巴金)의 『차가운 밤 寒夜』(1947) 속 꿈을 통한 아포칼립스적 세계관의 구현

Abstract

This study delves into the embodiment of an apocalyptic theme within Ba Jin’s Cold Nights, which is realized through portrayal of dreams. The novel adeptly illustrates protagonist Wang Wenxuan’s traversal through various dreamscapes, which are intricately linked to an apocalyptic vision. Furthermore, the novel’s spatial backdrop Chongqing intertwines with Wang Wenxuan, contributing to a palpable sense of an apocalyptic world. Wang Wenxuan is a representative man of wartime catastrophe. If Wang Wenxuan’s corporeal existence could be considered as an independent microcosm, his gradual descent towards mortality becomes a phased manifestation of an impending apocalypse. First, this paper’s focal point revolves around the boundary-dissolving nature of dreams, postulating them as metaphors for a disintegrating world. Specifically, these dreams erode distinctions between reality and nonreality, life and death, thereby encapsulating an apocalyptic essence. Second, the paper articulates how dreams serve as a leitmotiv that forewarns the demise of Wang Wenxuan. The recurrent presence of dreams within the narrative prompts readers to internalize and anticipate the impending moment of ending. Third, this paper connects wartime life with the realm of nightmares, and juxtaposes the end of war with the act of awakening from dreams. The end of the war signifies both a departure from the dream state and an entrance into an alternate nightmare. The novel ultimately culminates in Wang Wenxuan’s exclusion from redemption, rendering a distinct finale of the novel.