일본고전문학에 나타난 고령자상(高齡者像) - 노추(老醜)의 거부와 극복 -

Abstract

This thesis aims to divide the senior citizen by type appeared in Japanese classical literature and to consider it carefully and to newly find the values and meaning of aging. First, I selected classical literature through keywords related to the elderly. And I figured out the patterns of the elderly by analyzing the specific examples of works in which the elderly are the main characters. Second, the means of description of the senior citizen are divided into four in the narrative type and the public's opinion of it has been confirmed. 'OBASTE type' is a story about abandoning senior citizen. it expresses literally the emotion of surviving senior citizen rather than criticizes the children who have abandoned their parents. 'The love of old age type' is described mostly with humorous stories of criticism and mockery and sympathy. 'URASIMATARO type' is a story about the young people's changing into senior citizen as slick as nothing at all. The aging, at this point means the punishment for violating taboo. 'Transformation type' is a story about senior citizen's changing into supernatural being. it shows discriminative eyes for man and woman. Third, senior citizen's image proving their worth by responding positively to negative views of other people is divided into four type depending on their reaction. Senior citizen applicable to 'Overcoming Crisis type' resolve the crisis of their families or their nations with their wisdom. Those who are classified into 'Expressing Desire type' reveal proudly their sexual desire and ambitions for success despite others' condemnation and mockery. Those in 'Connecting generation type' play the role of heir for the maintenance and prosperity of the community. Those in 'Seeking Survival type' break through severe external environment for survival with their realistic politics. Fourth, in the view of establishing senior citizen's image, new image of senior citizen applicable to the modern society has been discussed reflecting their leading will to overcome the ugliness of old people in classic works of literature. Senior citizen overcome the risks of community with age and wisdom exposing their presence and deliver memories to the next generation and guarantee the maintenance and prosperity of community. in addition, they confirm their presence as equal human being by expressing sound and healthy desires. with the above consideration, we have to regret our existing attitudes for which negative arguments have been produced and to establish new image of senior citizen based on mutual respect.