Woonyoungjeon was approximately written in the late 16th or the early 17th century, the unprecedented upheaval of East Asia. In this period, the current of thought and literature was changing as rapidly as society. Woonyoungjeon deserved to be mention...
Woonyoungjeon was approximately written in the late 16th or the early 17th century, the unprecedented upheaval of East Asia. In this period, the current of thought and literature was changing as rapidly as society. Woonyoungjeon deserved to be mentioned as the most problematic work of this period.
I tried to trace what kind of basis of thought Woonyoungjeon was written on. In order to study this, I reviewed the text and looked into the stream of thought and change of literature from the late 16th to the early 17th century, relying on textual and socio-historical survey of the work.
First, I paid attention to introduction of the philosophy of Wang Yang-ming in the early 16th century and spreading of it during the time of Japanese Invasion of Korea. It was unexpectedly wide-spread although it was derived from change of the existing doctrines of Chu-tzu. In addition to change of the stream of thought, there was a big change in the field of literature as well: the style of Tang poetry a la mode.
Woonyoungjeon reflects this change of thought and literature pretty well. The more Woonyoung was falling in love, the more she got to be self-conscious, and her love made her breakthrough unavoidable wall of reality. It was an affirmation for sensual desire. Nevertheless, she committed suicide. She even pacified Anpyungdaegoon's anger, but she got frustrated by the hard reality of what is called 'society' surrounding her.
This critical issue of Woonyoungjeon is no more than a doubt on Confucian ideology. Until now there had not been such a chuanchi showing a drastic skepticism like this. It cannot be explained without thinking of the philosophy of Wang Yang-ming increased gradually in those days. Through Woonyoungjeon we can see combination between the vogue of the style of Tang poetry(which affirmed human nature) and thinking of the philosophy of Wang Yang-ming(which came to an affirmation for sensual desire from intuitive knowledge).
For the first time, I essayed this viewpoint. I think, from now on, it is necessary to have a specific inspection in the level of history of literature and thought.