숲의 알레고리, 숲의 공간 서사

Abstract

In children’s literature, a woods functions as a particular space. With various implications, the woods is presented in many works, including the movie “Into the Woods,” which shows narratives related to the woods. The importance of the woods is revealed on a meaningful space for children to leave their family. In particular, children’s crossing to a new space leads to the absence of parents, which is a necessary condition for the child's growth. The importance of the space called ‘woods’ is a key element of this study. The spatiality of a woods plays an important role in the growth of children, the ‘woods’ functions as a space. This is not a place to give comfort and stability, whereas children encounter new objects and is full of dangers and difficulties to overcome in the woods. Most of all, difference between place and space is explored to show each meaning to children’s journey to search for their genuine identities. More specifically, the woods is associated with ‘freedom,’ whereas it can be replaced by danger, witches, fantasy, etc. Therefore, while overcoming various difficulties on that journey, children can get initiation of self-recognition and genuine identities. In this respect, leaving home and going on a journey to the woods functions as a kind of rite of passage for children's mental growth. Also children's self-awareness can become more active through beings related to various events experienced in the woods through solving problems. In conclusion, narratives that take place in a special space called the woods are important thread-like elements that continuously create an allegory about children’s growth.