동아시아의 근대와 근대 지식인 - 나쓰메 소세키, 루쉰, 이광수 -

Abstract

This paper examined the modern perception of intellectuals and according resolutions through the novels by Natsume Soseki as an intellectual of empire, Lu Xun as an intellectual of semi-colonial and Lee, Kwang-Su as an intellectual of colony. The intellectual of empire Natsume Soseki criticized modern civilization in his novel 『I Am a Cat』. In his novel 『Kokoro』, he portrayed the Meiji spirit namely, intellectuals faithfully fulfilling imperialism. Lu Xun conveyed the message of urging to face the reality rather than turning away from it through spiritual victories in his novel 『The True Story of Ah Q』. In his novel 『A Madman’s Diary』, he was afraid of becoming an intellectual who resists against tradition but eventually becomes frustrated and compromises and hope to be otherwise. Lee, Kwang-Su portrayed an intellectual who educates and enlightens the general public after learning Western knowledge. In his novel 『Moojeong』, an intellectual enlightened the general public through education and it was actualized in 『The Soil』. While Natsume Soseki expresses criticism of civilization and imperialism indirectly, Lee, Kwang-Su expresses the subject of enlightenment forthrightly while Lu Xun expresses the subject of revolution suggestively. The direction of modernization of the three writers varied in regards to criticism of civilization and imperialism by Natusme Soseki, revolution by Lu Xun and enlightenment by Lee, Kwang-Su. However, the ultimate goal of modernization was the same. Their direction of modernization was actualized through their novels.