<장화홍련전>에 나타난 서사적 균열과 그 의미 = Narrative crack and it’s meaning in the Janghwa, hongryeon-jeon

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

In Janghwa, Hongryeon-Jeon, the wicked stepmother trope is often interpreted as reflecting the patriarchal limitations of contemporary readers or the illusions of the first wife’s lineage. This study argues that such evaluations risk oversimplifying the interpretative horizons of the audience and calls for a reassessment of Stepmother Heo’s portrayal. While the trope aligns with contemporary expectations, it remains confined to the perspective of the mainstream audience, largely composed of the first wife’s lineage.
This study examines two key aspects: first, the overlooked presence of subtle voices defending the stepmother, and second, the narrative fractures that reveal tensions within her portrayal. These fractures are analyzed in relation to conservative societal pressures and readers’ interpretative freedom, highlighting the reception dynamics of the time.
By addressing the neglect of the second wife’s lineage in previous research, this study links their self-censorship to the limited renewal of their narratives. This approach elucidates the modes of existence for these marginalized voices and their inability to openly express themselves, thus underscoring the study’s significance.