서사와 치유: 이야기를 통한 중국 고대문학의 치유 작용

Abstract

Writing and appreciation of literature is one of the most effective methods for healing the wounded hearts. Writer soothes one's mind by writing, reader shares the effects by reading it. This paper investigates the personal or social healing effects of Chinese traditional literature especially from the viewpoint of storytelling. For this study, it examines the concept of ‘發憤著書’(writing from resentment) and ‘街談巷語’(street talk and alleyway gossip) as a healing method in Chinese traditional writings, and then considers specific healing process of narrative works which includes storytelling scene itself. Qi fa(七發) Fu(賦) by Mei Cheng(枚乘) in Han dynasty is comparable with the novel One Thousand and One Nights. A persuasive talker from Oh(吳) heals the wounded heart of Chu(楚) Prince by skillful storytelling. This character is similar to Scheherazade who cures a mental disease of King Shahryār through various stories in One Thousand and One Nights. The short story Dongcheng Lao fu Zhuan(東城老父傳) in Tang dynasty has a social healing effect through the story of Old man who has experienced a peaceful reign and anarchic period either. This paper investigates healing functions of storytelling with some works above in traditional Chinese literature.