『토지』의 “순수한 여행” 연구

Abstract

A trip for pleasure, etc. without a specific purpose or business, is called a “pure travel” in Toji. In Toji, the work which focuses on the difficult realities of the nation and its people in modern Korea, “pure travel” doesn’t make up much of it, but it becomes the central narrative of major characters and contributes to the formation of the theme of the work. Therefore, this paper analyzed the motive and itinerary of “pure travel” in Toji, studying on its meaning and function by targeting the travel of the two, Im Myeong-hee and Ogata Jiro. The subject of “pure travel” was a modern bourgeoisie who was free to spend time and money, and intellectual who had an inner mind to enjoy the scenery as a hobby. Im Myeong-hee is a bourgeoisie who married a pro-Japanese nobleman and raised her status from middle class and Ogata Jiro is an intellectual who claims to be a cosmopolitan. Im Myung-hee takes a trip to escape from trauma caused by patriarchal violence, and Ogata Jiro goes on a trip due to anxiety over the outbreak of war, which triggered a longing for his beloved one. After being rescued from a suicide attempt at a travel destination, Im Myung-hee realizes the creative ability of life and regenerates herself. Ogata Jiro finds a woman he longs for at a travel destination, travels for a long time with his son, another longing one, and is reborn as a “father.” In short, the subject of “pure travel” is reborn as another being by experiencing ‘autocatharsis’ through fateful and dramatic events at the travel destination. Meanwhile, the travel narrative of Im Myeong-hee and Ogata Ji-ro plays an important role in forming the theme of the entire work as they explore the thought of life and a cosmopolitan’s gaze and conflict.