만주국 페스트 방역활동과 식민지 정치학─ 구딩(古丁)의 『신생(新生)』을 중심으로

Abstract

This paper intends to examine the relationship between the sanitary discourse and contemporary literary narrative during Manchukuo era, as this topic has not been paid much of an attention in studies elsewhere. With the New Life, a novel by Manchukuo author Gu-Ding, as the main literature source and within the context of the 1940’s epidemic situation in Manchukuo, this paper examines the expansion of colonial ideology revealed through the quarantine practices, and the contents of the colonized people's experience of quarantine. Japan implemented strict quarantine policies in colonialized Manchukuo namely to control the plague, however, one important aspect of these rules was the control of the public. In particular spaces, such as quarantine centers, which were operated under the pretext of public safety and epidemic control, were also aimed for control of the public. These quarantine practices often created conflicts and inequality between ethnic groups which was aligned with the goal of Japan’s aim of strengthening the ideology of colonial rule. As a result, imperialist ideology was infiltrating into daily life of the masses, causing constant conflicts and clashes between various ethnic groups and classes within Manchukuo society.