문헌설화 소재 열과 애정의 주체로서의 여성

A Study on Women as an Initiative Being in Love and Chastity Found in Literature

Generally we think the women in the traditional societies would have lived unhappy lives on account of the Neo-Confucian norms, but all women would have not so. Some of the common women and Kisaengs(a singing and dancing girl) selected their partners, preserved chastity, and completed a true love of their own free will. Of them I, as typical beings, chose the lives of Sukeupi(a maid bringing water), Gil-nyo, Mae-hwa, and Mu-eun. They chose their partners of their own free will, and even after splitting up preserved chastity of their own free will in spite of the indifference of their partners and the society. It was not because of the promise with their partners, but because of their own determination. They were wise and brave, tried to support themselves, and did not fear death in order to preserve their conviction in the face of danger. However, the men that they loved passionately were very selfish and irresponsible in the problem of love. The Confucian scholars looked upon the women who loved them first as lewd women. When some other problems happen, naturally the men who fell in love were willing to give up the love, and took pride in their behavior occasionally. They were not active and initiative, and failed to appreciate the love and preservation of chastity of their partners properly. Sukeupi, Gil-nyo, Mae-hwa, and Mu-eun thought that the preservation of chastity and love could not be separated from each other, and the preservation of chastity are more valuable when it was based upon love. Through the practice of such a faith they lived a great lives that the contemporary women could not. From now on I will try to find the women of noble family who had loved and preserved chastity initiatively.