청마 시의 '극한'의 의미와 한계

The Meaning and Limit of 'Extreme' in Cheongm's Poems

Cheongma's pro-Japanese activities have become a core issue in the recent discussions of his literary works. However, the status of his poems keep stable. Although he did suspicious pro-Japanese activities and his works could be judged by it, counter-argument would be still possible as his pro-Japanese activities could be quite insignificant compared with other writers who did it. This study allows the circumstance of the pro-Japanese issue in his poems and focuses on the meaning of 'extreme' and 'limit' revolved around 'essence of life' which is the main keyword of his poems in order to define the main nature of his poems. Also, this study mainly focused on Danjang which he expressed his thoughts in quite straightforward way and created like series-poem for centralizing the discussion. As a result of the study, 'the life' appeared in Cheongma's poems implies a weak and small existence. In addition, it is only existential life which can not be redeemed by religious God. 'Being thrown' in existential awareness means the process of self-awareness, and it leads to the process to realize the limitation of human existence. On the process, human existence is placed in experimental position as the object of 'extreme' so that it experiences human being's natural existential awareness. Meanwhile, 'extreme' in Cheongma's poems can be classified in three patterns. In Flag, 'extreme' is expressed as 'infinity' which shows vertical distance to spatial object. In this case, 'extreme' which is formed in the process of being overwhelming and admiring by the object's status and authority rather than being reconciliated and harmonized with the object in equal position shows psychological condition of the surrendered poetic ego to 'greatness of extension'. In the second pattern, a spatial distance makes 'greatness of extension' by having the horizontality of 'extreme' and Ulleungdo is a good example of it. In this case, the maximized spatial distance can gain vitalizations of meanings but it also builds the impossibility of contact in realistic condition so that it becomes the cause of lack of reality. This kind of poets express not vulgar reality and marginal life but human natural feelings of seeking immortal object. It proves the reason why clear historical awareness and realistic participation are limited in his works. The last pattern, the most intensive method, is conceptional 'extreme'. It shows that the attempt to overcome the 'limit' which is set up and surrounded by itself will be failed. In other words, an existential being denigrates itself and reveals 'the will of nihility' as it connotes antinomy of being stuck in reality but still pursuing ideal. Also, the will of transcendence can be understood with Cheongma's romantic character and it raise the point of not having clear historicity and concreteness as a result of lack of reality by seeking ideal overcome. Therefore, the poems which are suspected as pro-Japanese activities could be created because of his unclear historical consciousness and realistic perspective. Also, it could be carefully considered that pursuing 'extreme' may prove the disconnection of clear pro-Japanese activity. However, an in-depth study needs to be followed in order to make the decisive conclusion.