<화산기봉>의 역사 변용과 의미

Abstract

The Korean full-length novel Hwa-san-gi-bong, written during the late Joseon Dynasty, revolves around the historical figure Li Sheng(李晟) of the Tang Dynasty, exploring the conflicts and reconciliation within the Yi family, as well as themes of national crisis and restoration. This study focuses on examining the ways in which Hwa-san-gi-bong reflects historical elements and the significance of these approaches. The novel adopts a structure where family-centered narratives intersect and alternate with nation-centered narratives, with historical elements primarily featured in the nation-centered sections. The methods of incorporating history are twofold: character-focused and character-and-event-focused. The midsection, which integrates both characters and events, exhibits a strong historical fidelity, whereas the opening and closing sections are characterized by a greater degree of fictionalization. In the opening, the contrast between loyal subjects and treacherous officials highlights Li Sheng's integrity, while the midsection and closing sections emphasize the prominence of the Yi family as its members are portrayed as key figures in resolving national crises. The historical adaptation in Hwa-san-gi-bong goes beyond merely reproducing historical facts, instead reconfiguring them into a fictionalized world, reflecting an aspect of the creative practices in Korean full-length novels. In particular, the reinterpretation of Li Sheng as a symbol of blessings and prosperity(福祿) demonstrates the author’s ingenuity, showing that history in Korean full-length novels was not confined to a narrative device but was creatively repurposed. Through this, Hwa-san-gi-bong holds significance as a work that illustrates the exploratory and diverse creative attempts in late Joseon-era Korean literature.