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The Review of Korean Studies

Reading National Heroes from Fantasy: Shin Chae-ho’s “The Dream Heaven”

The Review of Korean Studies / The Review of Korean Studies, (P)1229-0076; (E)2773-9351
2004, v.7 no.1, pp.165-186
Lee Jae-Yon (University of Chicago)
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Abstract

Up to the present, the writings of Shin Chae-ho (1880-1936) have been evaluated by dualism. His historical writings, often recognized as the symbol of national identity and the spirit of independence, have been hailed for their contribution to the anti-Japanese movement during the colonial period (1910- 1945), whereas his literary works received aesthetically low appreciation due to their political aspects, that is, their use of narrative as a tool for promoting national identity. This dualism, however, provides an important reason for revisiting Shin’s literary writings; they contain important clues to understanding his historical perspectives, which are singular in the formation of religious and spiritual nationalism before and during the colonial period. Beyond a dichotomy of literature and history, this paper aims to examine the comprehensive structure between narrative and ideology where the discourse of the people forms that of national characteristics. Through a close reading of Shin’s fiction, “The Dream Heaven” (Kkum Haneul), I will explore the images of national heroes in their connection with the historical formation of the concept of new people in the discourse of the invented tradition.

keywords
New People (shin min), social Darwinism, religious nationalism, collective identity, metahistory

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The Review of Korean Studies