조선시대 인물전승의 ‘패랭이[平凉子] 지식인’ 형상

Abstract

This paper investigated the possibility which ‘Paerang-e intellect’ could be the symbol of cultural character with diverse kinds of stories about characters in Joseon period as the text. Paeraeng-e was the general hat made for the practical purposes to block rain or snow. It was a part of the plain clothes, not official uniform nor formal dresses. It was degraded to the symbol of low social rank including butchers or peddlers in late Joseon period. In the records in Joseon period, the characters putting on Paeraeng-e are found a lotand so draw attention. There are three common features among 12 characters with Paeraeng-e from the 15th century to the 19th century. The first common feature is wandering. Wandering means both social instability and dynamic. Such elements also include the possibility to disturb the public order or create new order. Second common feature is discord with mainstream norms or denial to etiquettes. It means the collision against values in the relationship with the mainstream in a society. However, it is exposed as the passive resistance because of no power to turn over the existing order. The third common feature is the distinguished insight overwhelming mainstream celebrities. It also includes moral superiority. It is the inner basis for them to mocking the world or to bravely break norms away. One symbol representing three features above is Paeraeng-e. Putting Paeraeng-e on is the revelation of self-contradiction and the symbol of denial against dominating ethics. On the basis of such features, ‘Paeraeng-e intellect’ can be generally defined as ‘intellect who don’t accept the values in the mainstream society even with superior insight, but wanders as doing something beyond norms with putting Paeraeng-e of those in lower class on.’ More in-depth discussion is required on whether ‘Paeraeng-e intellect’ can be the cultural symbol of Joseon period and can be expanded to the scope of East Asia.