폭력적 위계에 맞서는 여성의 자리 찾기 과정 -최은영 소설집 『아주 희미한 빛으로도』를 중심으로-

초록

“Even in the Faint Light” contains novels that present various violenthierarchies that exist in our society, women who respond to them, andforecast the future. In the novels she has published thus far, Choi hasfocused on the subtle wounds and emotional changes that occur inintimate relationships. In this collection of novels, it mainly appears asa setting of violence experienced by women in society. In these novels, the characters’ responses to hierarchy and violenceare divided into two types. One type has agency through writing andspeaking and establishes its own position step-by-step. The other typehas resigned to their lives with acceptance and patience, but does notwant to pass this on to the next generation. In the former case, horizontal relationships, such as seniors andjuniors,colleagues, friends, and teachers, appear welcoming,acknowledging, and in solidarity with each other. “Even in the FaintLight,” “Share,” and “A Year” are novels that fall under this category. In these novels, the female characters record their thoughts throughspecific actions, such as speaking, writing, and reading. This ismeaningful in that it provides faint light for younger generations. The latter case deals with the aspects of violence that occur in domestic relationships centered on blood ties. Older generations arevictims of domestic violence and sometimes become objects ofaversion for younger generations. However, because they do not passon the violence they experience to the next generation, the latter canescape violence. These include “Reply,” “Sowing,” “To Aunt,” and“Disappearing, Not Disappearing.” Among these, the three novels,except “Disappearing, Not Disappearing,” contain the value of writingas an act, similar to the previous types, in that they record andtransmit the lives of older generations using the form of letters orwriting. Home is a space in which violence occurs privately andsecretly in daily life. However, violence and the hierarchy of patriarchyare not limited to blood relations. The sisters-in-law, housekeeper,helper, daughter, son, sister, and brother were all victims of violence. These novels question society's structured violence and suggest waysto resolve it by showing people who do not respond to violence withmore violence, but instead try to replace it with love and compassion. The literary research value of this collection of novels can be found inthe thematic consciousness that clearly reveals Choi’s literarytendencies.

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