신최(申最) 원체산문(原體散文)의 시대강령적(時代綱領的) 의미 = The Meaning of Shin Choi`s Won Style Prose as a Historical Platform

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study examined the meaning of 11 pieces of Won style prose written by Shin Choi(16l9~1658) in the mid 17th century as a historical platform. At the age of 24 in 1642, Shin Choi wrote 11 pieces of Won style prose including Wonjeong. These works in grandiose antiquated style and in the form of a structured series are meaningful research materials in that they inherited the line of traditional Won style prose since Hanyu. Furthermore, Shin Choi`s prose represents the intellects` perception of times, political principles and governing philosophies in those days. Shin Choi understood his age as a corrupt period prevailed by blindly followed vulgar customs. He argued that wrong customs should be corrected through ``edification`` and ``reformed`` through ``the way.`` Here, the ``reform`` that he mentioned was the implementation of moral politics thoroughly based on the Neo Confucian idea. This was a natural ideological pursuit and a response to the realities, resulting from the troubles both at home and abroad throughout the 17th century and the crisis of his family troubles. In the 11 pieces of Won style prose, Shin Choi emphasized the correction of folk customs through ``models and edification`` and the principles for the selection of competent persons such as ``Cultivate virtue of king`` and ``Appointment man of wise and Employment man of ability.`` In that it admitted opportuneness partly, his argument for the restoration of ancient art and music shows a flexible and compromising attitude different from previous ages. Furthermore, recognizing the keen necessity of foundation for stable public welfare and national wealth and strength before adequate exemplification and edification, he pointed out specific evil practices in agricultural and military policies in those days, and deliberated over how to solve those problems. In conclusion, although his discourse could not cast off the limitation as a high toned argument that failed to cope actively with changing real situations at home and abroad and as a moral theory without power for leading the times, it still has literary significance in that his perception and theory reflect the main stream intellects` perception of the realities and their logic to cope with the realities in those days