유림외사와 연암소설의 비극적 인물형상 비교

Abstract

The best satirical novels of Qing dynasty and Joseon in the mid-18th century include Oh Kyungjae's The Scholars (儒林外史) and Park Ji-won's Chinese novel. Both countries were seen to be politically stable and economically prosperous, but its inner side was full of confusion and contradictions in the feudal times of the transitional period. The two writers' satirical descriptions of social phenomena, including the thought and hypocrisy of corrupt intellectuals, the evils of the gwageo, the breakdown of the feudal status system, the rapid growth of merchant forces, and the downfall of each class of society are very similar. The novels feature characters from various classes of life, satirizing the tragic reality of a phase of gloomy society. In particular, the tragedy, which seems common to intellectuals, women and the lower classes, clearly and realistically illustrates the chaotic realities and social conditions. These figures reflect anguish and criticism as intellectuals of the age looking forward to a new revolution. This article makes a comparison based on the background of the derivation of their three figures’ tragedy, and the consciousness of the age common to the two writers. This research will be useful in examining not only our understanding of the transitional society of Qing dynasty and Joseon, but also the same consciousness of the times as intellectuals of the age.