Survey of Afro-Asian Literature PDF

ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE College of Teacher Education Survey of Afro-Asian Literature Report Manuscript for Korean Literature Submitted by: Stephen Laberinto Submitted to: Ms....

ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE College of Teacher Education Survey of Afro-Asian Literature Report Manuscript for Korean Literature Submitted by: Stephen Laberinto Submitted to: Ms. Alma May Wandas 1|Page  ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE College of Teacher Education Korean Literature Korean literature, the body of works written by Koreans, first in Classical Chinese, later in various transcription systems using Chinese characters, and finally in Hangul, the national alphabet. Although Korea has had its language for several thousand years, it has only had a writing system since the mid-15th century, when Hangul was invented. As a result, early literary activity was in Chinese characters. A national academy was established shortly after the founding of the Unified Silla dynasty (668–935), and, from the time of the institution of civil service examinations in the mid-10th century until their abolition in 1894, every educated Korean read the Confucian Classics and Chinese histories and literature. By the 7th century a system, called idu, had been devised that allowed Koreans to make rough transliterations of Chinese texts. A more extended system of transcription, called hyangch’al, followed shortly after that, in which entire sentences in Korean could be written in Chinese. Thus, literature written in Korea falls into three categories: works written in the early transcription systems, those written in Hangul, and those written in Chinese. Historical Periods of Korean Literature A. Ancient Times Korean literature originates from an ancient art form that emerged in the Old Stone Age. It was part of festival activities and served to politically unify society, describe supernatural powers, and inspire agricultural productivity. During the Bronze Age, foundation myths and early epics of the Korean people emerged. These myths include the Legend of Old Chosŏn, centered on the mythological first king, Tangun. Songs from this period, such as the well-known "Hwangjo ka" (17 BCE), composed in Chinese, reflected the changes of the time, with this lyric poem evoking the personal loneliness of the unfortunate Koguryŏ king Yuri. B. The Three Kingdoms Period and Unification (57 BCE-935 CE) The Three Kingdoms—the states of Silla, Koguryŏ, and Paekche, which ruled the Korean peninsula from 57 BCE to 668 CE—utilized Chinese as their official literary language. This state-sanctioned use of Chinese, along with the adoption of Confucianism and Buddhism, meant a significant transition in the history of Korean literature. The existence of Koguryo songs such as “Naewŏnsŏng ka” (“Song of Naewŏn Fortress”), “Yŏnyang ka” (“Song of Yŏnyang”), and “Myŏngju ka” (“Song of Myŏngju”). Hyangch’al, a writing system that used Chinese characters to represent spoken Korean, originated in Silla. The Song “Tosol ka” (“Dedication”), which is known to date from the third decade of the 1st century CE, was composed and sung in Silla. Other songs about nature, such as “Sŏnunsan” (“Sŏnun Mountain”), “Mudŭngsan” (“Mudŭng Mountain”), “Pangdŭngsan” (“Pangdŭng Mountain”), and “Chirisan” (“Chiri Mountain”), were popular in Paekche. After the unification of the Three Kingdoms in 668 under the Unified Silla dynasty, Korean literature in Chinese underwent a fundamental development in which a group of literati played several roles. Asserting the significance of Confucianism and literature, they instituted a social class of literati leaders. Well-Known Authors Sŏl Ch’ong Ch’oe Ch’i-Wŏn - contributed greatly to the development of Korean literature in Chinese. 2|Page  ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE College of Teacher Education Famous Works “Hwawanggye” (“Admonition to the King of Flowers”) by Sŏl Ch’ong “Tomi sŏlhwa” (“Tale of Tomi”) “Chigwi sŏlhwa” (“Tale of Chigwi”) C. Early Koryo (935 CE – 12th Century) Intensified, myths and legends were revived in which figures credited with nation founding and other supernatural powers overcome ordeals and adversity. In a Koryŏ legend, for example, Wang Kŏn, the founder (in 935) of the Koryŏ dynasty, is the most important figure, although his forefathers are depicted as having mythical origins that extend back several generations. The Koryŏ kingdom inherited Silla literature, and early Koryŏ works, like those of previous periods, embodied Buddhist and Confucian ideologies. The early Koryŏ period was also a time during which literature in Chinese thrived and prospered while literature in hyangch’al faded, with the hyangga of Silla surviving only until the beginning of the 10th century. During the reign (929–975) of Kwangjong, the civil service system established by that king contributed greatly to the development of literature in Chinese by emphasizing authors’ comprehension of the Confucian canon and skill in poetic composition. Well-Known Authors Monk Kyunyŏ – wrote the last Kim Pu-Shik hyangga “Pohyŏn shibwŏn ka” Kim Hwang-Wŏn (“Ten Vows of Samantabhadra”) Ch’oe Ch’ung Ch’oe Sŭng-No Pak In-Nyang Famous Works “Karak kukki” (“Records of the Karak State”) by King Munjong “Sui chŏn” (“Tales of the Extraordinary”) revised by Pak Il-Lyang “Samguk sagi” (“History of the Three Kingdoms”) compiled by Kim Pu-Shik “Toi changga” (“Dirge for Two Great Generals”) by King Yejong “Chŏng Kwa-Jŏng kok” (“Song of Chŏng Kwa-Jŏng”) D. Later Koryo (12th Century - 1392) Literature in Chinese continued to prosper. Kim Kŭk-Gi and the group is known as Chungnim Kohoe (“Eminent Assembly in the Bamboo Grove”), which was established by O Se-Jae, Yi Il-Lo, Yi Kyu-Bo, and others made an integral part to the emergence and proliferation of literary criticism. Also, the creation of Buddhist literature, centered on Sŏn (Zen) Buddhism, enlarged the sphere of later Koryŏ literature which features the writings of the monk Chinul as well as the monks Hyeshim, Ch’ungji, Kyŏnghan, Pou, and Hyegŭn. The amount of literature in Chinese is devoted to the chon, an account of a person’s life. Sijo and Kasa, which would become the leading poetic genres in the Chosŏn period, also originated at this time. Well-Known Authors Yi Saek Ch’oe Cha Yi Kyu-Bo Yi Che-Hyŏn Ch’oe Hae Famous Works “Kongban chŏn” (“Tale of Master Coin”) “Kuksun chŏn” (“Tale of Master Malt”) 3|Page  ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE College of Teacher Education “Chŏ Saeng chŏn” (“Tale of Yangban Paper”) “Chuk Puin chŏn” (“Tale of Madame Bamboo”) “Kuk Sŏnsaeng chŏn” (“Tale of Sir Malt”) Songs 1. Songs that deal with the traditions “Isang kok” (“Frost-Treading of the Three Kingdoms period Song”) “Chŏngŭp sa” (“Song of 3. Short songs (Tanjang) Chŏngŭp”) “Yugu kok” (“Song of “Ch’ŏyong ka” (“Song of Pigeons”) Ch’ŏyong”) “Sangjŏ ka” (“Song of the 2. Love between men and women as Pestle”) their subject 4. Long songs (Yonjang) “Tongdong” (“Ode on the “Soakpu” (“Little Song Seasons”) Book”) “Kashiri” (“Would You Now Leave Me?”) E. Early Choson (1392-1598) With the establishment of the Chosŏn dynasty in 1392, two major, contrasting themes emerged in Korean literature. King Sejong, who during his reign (1419–50) surmounted the disorder that accompanied the founding of the Chosŏn dynasty and established a system of governance, invented Hangul (han’gŭl), the alphabetic system used to write the Korean language—thereby making possible a vernacular literature. This was the epochal development in the history of Korean literature. The first Korean literature written in Hangul includes "Yongbi ŏch’ŏn ka" (1445–47; “Songs of Flying Dragons”) and "Wŏrin ch’ŏngang chigok" (1447; “Songs of the Moon’s Reflection on a Thousand Rivers”). The form known as akchang emerged at this time. The kyŏnggi-style poem was inherited by early Chosŏn literati who produced such works in that genre as “Sangdae pyŏlgok” (“Song of the Censorate”) by Kwŏn Kŭn and “Hwasan pyŏlgok” (“Song of Mount Hwa”) by Pyŏn Kye-Ryang, both written in the early 15th century. Several works written in the kasa form, such as Chŏng Kŭk-In’s “Sangch’un kok” (“Hymn to Spring”) and Cho Wi’s “Manbun ka” (“Song of Fury”), both of 15th century, assumed prominent places in the literature of the scholar-bureaucrats. Other Well-Known Authors Kwŏn Kŭn Chu Se-Bung Pyŏn Kye-Ryang Yi Hwang Chŏng Ch’ŏl Kim Shi-Sŭp Famous Works “Kŭmo shinhwa” (“New Stories from the Golden Turtle”) “Susŏng chi” (“Record of Victory over Worry”) “Wŏnsaeng mongyu rok” (“Record of Wŏn’s Dream Adventure”) “Ŏmyŏnsun” (“Sleep-Forestalling Shield”) F. Later Choson (1598-1894) The Japanese invasion of 1592 and the Manchu invasion several decades later had a profound impact on Korean literature. The sirhak (“practical learning”) school, which included Pak Chi-Wŏn, turned its attention to contemporary realities and introduced a lively writing style. 4|Page  ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE College of Teacher Education During this period a new movement emerged that aimed to produce poetry about the customs and contemporary realities on the Korean peninsula. Sijo continued to be composed by scholar-bureaucrats. The active participation of the wihangin in the creation and performance of sijo during the 18th century resulted in an expansion of the class of people responsible for the form’s production. Professional singers formed groups and developed principles for composing sijo. They produced collections such as "Haedong Kayo" ("Songs of Korea") and "Kagok Wŏllyu" ("Anthology of Korean Songs"). These collections contained both orally transmitted poems and songs previously recorded in book form. Responding to popular tastes, the oral narrative known as p’ansori was transformed in the late 17th and early 18th centuries from a narrative performance that incorporated shamanistic chants into a vehicle for treating popular customs and everyday life. The professional entertainers known as kwangdae quickly took up this developing form as their livelihood. Well-Known Authors Hong Sun-Hak Yun Kye-Sŏng Kim Su-Jang Yi Sunsin Yi Chŏng-Bo Pak Il-Lo Hong Man-Jong Famous Works “Nanjung ilgi” (“Diary of the War”) “Ŏu yadam” (“Tales of Ŏu”) “Tongya hwijip” (“Tales from Korea”) “Ongnu mong” (“Dream of the Jade Chamber”) “Myŏngju powŏlbing” (“Treasure of Bright Pearls in the Moonlight”) G. Transitional Literature (1894-1910) By the time of the 1894 reforms, enough social and intellectual change had occurred to suggest the beginnings of a division between traditional and modern literature. However, just as conservatism did not favor sudden changes in the political and social structure, literature also underwent a period of transition toward its modern transformation The modern literary movement was supported by vernacular publications such as the Tongnip sinmun and the Cheguk sinmun, as well as the establishment of the Korean Language Institute. The scientific study, consolidation, and systematization of Korean grammar also played a significant role in this development. The first literary forms to appear after the 1894 reforms were the sinsosŏl (“new novel”) and the ch’angga (“song”). Three distinctly traditional elements were inherited by the sinsosŏl. 1. Basic moral stance of reproving vice and rewarding virtue. 2. The development of the plot was governed by coincidence, and events that lacked causality were nevertheless arbitrarily connected. 3. Dialogue and the accompanying narrative were fused into one expository structure. Writers and their works Writer Work 1. Yi Injik Kwi ŭi sŏng (1907; “A Demon’s Voice”) 2. Yi Haejo Chayujong (1910; “Liberty Bell”) 3. Ch’oe Ch’ansik Ch’uwŏlsaek (1912; “Colour of the Autumn Moon”) 4. Yi Yongu Aeguk ka (“National Anthem”) 5. Yi Chungwŏn Tongsim ka (“A Boy’s Mind”) 5|Page  ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE College of Teacher Education H. Modern Literature (1910 – end of the 20th century) The modern literary movement was launched by Ch’oe Namsŏn and Yi Kwangsu. In 1919, shortly before the unsuccessful movement for independence from Japan, translations of such Western poets as Paul Verlaine, Rémy de Gourmont, and Stéphane Mallarmé began to exert a powerful influence on Korean poetry. The movement for literary naturalism was launched in the 1920s by a group of young writers who rallied around a new definition of universal reality. Writers of the class-conscious Korean Artist Proletariat Federation (KAPF), organized in 1925, asserted the importance of propaganda and regarded literature as a means to establish socialism. Modern Korean literature attained its maturity in the 1930s through the efforts of a group of talented writers. Writer Work 1. Ch’oe Namsŏn “Hae egeso pada ege” (“From the Sea to Children”) 2. Hyŏn Chingŏn “Pul” (1925; “Fire”) 3. Ch’oe Ch’ansik “Nim ŭi ch’immuk” (1926; “The Silence of Love”) 4. Kim Sowŏl “Chindallaekkot” (1925; “Azaleas”) 5. Chŏng Chiyong “Paengnoktam” (1941; “White Deer Lake”) 6. Yi Yuksa “Chŏlchŏng” (1939; “The Summit”) Korean Poetry There are four major traditional poetic forms: hyangga (“native songs”); pyŏlgok (“special songs”), or ch’angga (“long poems”); sijo (“current melodies”); and kasa (“verses”). Other poetic forms that flourished briefly include the kyŏnggi style in the 14th and 15th centuries and the akchang (“words for songs”) in the 15th century. The most representative akchang is Yongbi ŏch’ŏn ka (1445–47; “Songs of Flying Dragons”), a cycle compiled in praise of the founding of the Chosŏn (Yi) dynasty. Hyangga Oldest poetic form in Korean literature transcribed in the hyangch’al system. The poems were written in four, eight, or 10 lines; the 10-line form—comprising two four-line stanzas and a concluding two-line stanza—was the most popular. Hwarangdo, a school in which chivalrous youth were trained in civil and military virtues in preparation for state service. Example: “Hyesong ka” Song of a Comet - It was composed in 594 CE by Master Yungchong, the performance of which reportedly worked a miracle not once but twice when it saw off a comet traditionally an inauspicious omen and often referred to as a long-tailed star and a fleet of Japanese pirates. Hyesong ka (Song of a Comet) There is a castle by the Eastern Sea, And a star was about to sweep a path, where once a mirage used to play. Someone said, “Look, there is a comet.” Japanese soldiers came, Ah, the moon has already departed. Torches were burnt in the forest. Now, where shall we look for the long-tailed star? When knights visited this mountain, The moon marked its westerly course 6|Page  ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE College of Teacher Education Pyolgok or Ch’angga Flourished during the middle and late Koryo. The theme of most of these anonymous poems is love, the joys and torments of which are expressed in frank and powerful language. The poems were sung to musical accompaniment chiefly by women entertainers known as kisaeng. Example: Ode on the Seasons With virtue in one hand Born into this world, And happiness in the other, I live alone. Come, come you Gods, With virtue and happiness. You burn like a lantern In the February moon. The river in January Your bright figure Now freezes, now melts. Shines upon the world. Sijo Longest-enduring and most popular form of Korean poetry. Three-line poems in which each line has 14 to 16 syllables and the total number of syllables seldom exceeds 45. May deal with Confucian ethical values, but there are also many poems about nature and love. A longer form called sasŏl sijo (“narrative sijo”) Example: A well-known sijo by Yun Seon Do (1587–1671) You ask how many friends I have. Water and stone, bamboo and pine, The moon rising over the eastern hill is a joyful comrade. Besides these five companions, what other pleasure should I ask? Kasa Tends to be much longer than other forms of Korean poetry and is usually written in balanced couplets. Either line of a couplet is divided into two groups, the first having three or four syllables and the second having four syllables. The writers were usually yangban. Example: a blue rose, cool, fresh, and rare uncommon solemnity singular serenity --Judi Van Gorder 7|Page  ILOCOS SUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE College of Teacher Education Korean Prose Korean prose literature can be divided into narratives, fiction, and literary miscellany. Narratives include myths, legends, and folktales found in the written records. The most important myths are those concerning the Sun and the Moon, the founding of Korea by Tangun, and the lives of the ancient kings. The legends touch on place, personal names and natural phenomena. The folktales include stories about animals; ogres, goblins, and other supernatural beings; kindness rewarded and evil punished; and cleverness and stupidity. Korean fiction can be categorized in several ways. Firstly, it can be divided into fiction written in Chinese and fiction written in Korean. Secondly, it can be classified based on length - short works of one volume, "medium" works of about 10 volumes, and long works of more than 10 volumes. Thirdly, fiction can be categorized based on the social status of the writers, such as yangban and common writers. The stories are generally didactic, emphasizing correct moral conduct, and almost always have happy endings. Famous Korean Prose Writers Yi Mun-yol Hwang Sok-yong Shin Kyung-sook Han Kang Kim Young-ha Example of Korean Prose 1. The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Hwang Sun-Mi A best-selling novel by South Korean author Sun-Mi Hwang. First published in 2000. The story touches on universal themes of freedom, motherhood, sacrifice, and individuality. “The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly” by Hwang Sun-mi Sprout dreams of breaking free from her monotonous life of laying eggs only for them to be taken away. She yearns to raise her chick and live outside the confines of her coop, where she can experience the world freely. Sprout's determination to escape leads her on a perilous journey to independence, and she eventually succeeds in breaking free. However, life in the wild is far harsher than she imagined, and her dreams face many obstacles. After escaping, Sprout encounters a duck named Straggler, who lives a life of freedom but also loneliness. Sprout adopts an abandoned egg, believing it's a chicken egg, only to discover later that it hatches into a duckling. Despite the differences, Sprout loves and nurtures the duckling as her own. Through various challenges, including dangers from a weasel and the prejudice of the other farm animals, Sprout remains unwavering in her commitment to the duckling. As the duckling grows, Sprout realizes that she cannot keep him forever, and in an emotional moment, she encourages him to join the flock of wild ducks. Sprout's journey is ultimately one of self-acceptance and fulfillment, as she finds peace knowing that she has raised the duckling successfully, even though she has had to let him go. The story is an allegory for the challenges of life, independence, and the meaning of unconditional love. It reminds readers that dreams often come with sacrifice, but the pursuit itself is what makes life meaningful. Sprout's resilience, despite the odds, makes her a symbol of perseverance and maternal love. 8|Page