The way Zhuang Zi is accepted into individual writers or their writings would be identified with the general trends that other writers apply Zhuang Zi in that particular historical period; however, each writer uses Zhuang Zi differently in composing t...
The way Zhuang Zi is accepted into individual writers or their writings would be identified with the general trends that other writers apply Zhuang Zi in that particular historical period; however, each writer uses Zhuang Zi differently in composing their work. A thorough analysis of how writers benefit from Zhuang Zi would clarify the general trends of understanding Zhuang Zi`s idea in a particular time period. Having this kind of critical mind, I aimed to analyze in this paper how CheonPa OH Sook(1592-1634), a writer in the mid of Chosun Dynasty, applied Zhuang Zi`s ideas and rhetoric in his prose work called ``chisungjunggi``. Although Oh Sook and his works have rarely been studied, it is plausible to find some intriguing points from the perspective of literary influence of Zhuang Zi. Among Oh Sook`s limited collection of writings, it is found that many of his works were highly influenced by Zhuang Zi. Although Oh Sook`s works demonstrate different degrees of accepting Zhuang Zi and more comprehensive studies are required in the future, they show some common characteristics in writings that he skillfully modifies and combines various vocabulary, phrases, and motives that are used in Zhuang Zi. Among others, this paper analyzes ``chisungjunggi`` as it explicitly adopts Zhuang Zi from the overall structure to main ideas, to words and phrases. In addition, it explores the way Oh Sook skillfully twists the original text of Zhuang Zi in composing ``chisungjunggi`` if necessary. The literary influence of Zhuang Zi has varying degrees and ways depending on time/space and writers, and this is applicable to the literary acceptance of Zhuang Zi in prose works. ``chisungjunggi`` is much influenced by Zhuang Zi, and it is challenging to refer to it as a work that simply imitated Zhuang Zi`s ideas and styles of writing. In fact, it could be considered another chapter in Zhuang Zi. Compared with other works influenced by Zhuang Zi in the similar time period, ``chisungjunggi`` can be placed in an extreme end. The unique features that ``chisungjunggi`` and Oh Sook`s other prose works accept Zhuang Zi would be more clearly revealed when they are compared with other writers and works influenced by Zhuang Zi.