Literature is a topic that may seem simple from the outset, but in fact have many different facets and aspects to it that have been debated about not only as a whole, but geographically depending on the culture. This is especially true when it comes to the country of South Korea, as literature, as they know it today is quite different then what it used to along with not having such an extensive history as other countries do. This small length of time that South Korean literature spans across is due to how South Korean literature has not been around that long when compared with other countries around the world. Despite this, however there are various changes, ideals, and clear differences in the eras of literature that can be seen within the …show more content…
Due to this notion along with the importance literature has in history, many have written down their own perspective on what they believe literature is in order to further the discussion and spread awareness of its importance. Yi Kwangsu is one of these people, as he gives his interpretation of what literature is and the value of it in his works “The Value of Literature” and “What is Literature?” In the value of literature he discusses what he believes literature is not just as a whole, but through the perspective of a Korean. Yi Kwangsu states that literature was something that was done as a leisurely activity at first and was uncommon among the majority of the populous while being seen as mainly entertainment. This idea is especially important as due to the financial hardships and struggles the South Korean faced throughout their history, not only did they not have enough money to engage in literature, but also not enough time. This explains why literature was not emphasized in South Korean society in the early 20th century before transforming into a more artistic and educated idea. Yi Kwang so then gives his perspective of literature by saying that “It is an arduous task to give a clear definition of literature since its scope is vast and its boundaries unclear. However, it would not be inaccurate to say that literature refers to written texts that embody human feelings and emotions” (Kwangsu 289). Thus, arguing that literature is a natural extension of ones thought and feelings. Yi Kwangsu then furthers this perspective in his text “What is Literature?” in which he says that “In other words, only written expressions of human emotions and thoughts can be considered literature… In literature, we do not study things; rather, we feel them. Therefore, authors cannot teach us the knowledge of things; rather, their
Many Koreans authors lived during this bleak period in history, which influenced them in their writing. Park Kyong-ni, one of the most famous novelists in Korean history, was born on October 28, 1926 in Tongyong, South Korea. Park lost her husband during the Korean War and her son passed away before her. Her work emphasized the importance human dignity (english-ohmynews.com). She was awarded the Woltan Literature Work for her work The Land. Park Kyong-ni died on May 5, 2008 while completing another novel. Yun Dong-ju, a renowned po...
- "An Overview of the Korean History Project." An Overview of the Korean History Project. Web. 11 May 2014.
What is literature? It is writing that conveys meaning and ideas after analyzation. Great forms of literature can entertain for generations and still be relatable. Allowing people to express himself and spread their morals through the written word. One special quality that good literature has is that the deeper you go into a book the more meaning you pull out. Throughout the course of the freshman year we read three novels, The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Monkey Bridge. This three form of literature after reading, and analyzing them, helped us better understand yourself, and the world.
1Encounter: A Novel of Nineteenth-Century Korea by Moo-Sook Hahn, Translated by Ok Young Kim Chang. Foreword by Don Baker. University of California Press, 1992. ISBN(s): Cloth-- 0520073800 Paper-- 0520073819
In “Why Literature Matters” the author, Dana Gioia, argues that literature is very important in today’s society. He talks about the decline of reading over the years and the effects it has on different companies and communities. Gioia uses many persuasive techniques, such as evidence, jingoism, and diction, to try and persuade the reader that literature is important.
... been shaped, by the likes of the Chinese culture, however, the Korean people, have kept its distinct art. It eloquently expresses the qualities of the land and its people When free from the entire need to imitate. Chinese models, Korean art abounds in vitality, directness, strength, joy and a beguiling naivet*. Unpretentious, directness, ruggedness, spontaneity, and appeal as well as uniqueness." (Moes, 20) Like its people, Korean art mirrors and fuses its past present and future, allowing distinct external influences, but always, undoubtedly allowing its originating self shine through. Through its indigenous central Asian origins to its influence from the Chinese, to inevitable Westernization.
The idea of literature being an important aspect of life has always been greatly prevalent in my upbringing. This notion that I supported was spurred on at the cause of my obstinate parents insisting upon my reading of two books a week to benefit my vocabulary and to develop the articulate thought process of a skilled reader. As a young child, my biggest influences were my parents’ passionate and persuasive ideas regarding the correlation between
Soh, C. S. (2001). South Korea. In C. R. Ember & M. Ember (Eds.), Countries and Their Cultures (
In the book, the author goes from a Korean education to a Japanese schooling style. The Japanese required all students, no matter their nationality, to wear the same uniforms and speak only Japanese. This is even despite the fact that Japanese students and Korean students are taught separately. Speaking Korean would surely result in punishment; the author of the book learned that lesson the hard way. The overall education style of the Japanese was used, which aimed to assimilate Koreans into Japanese culture and strip them of all things Korean. No Korean history was taught during this period of time. In the book, the author was lucky enough to learn about Korean history from his father.
The book I chose for this book review assignment is titled Korea Old and New: A History by author Carter J. Eckert along with other contributing authors Ki-baik Lee, Young Ick Lew, Michael Robinson and Edward W. Wagner. The book is published at Korea Institute, Harvard University in 1990. The book consists of 418 pages and it is more of a survey of Korean history and reference type of book, rather than selected readings on modern Korean politics. I chose this book because it is a complete survey of Korean history from the ancient Choson period up to the economic boom of the 1990's, a span of over 2000 years. Each chapter covers a different period, but they all share the same organization of describing the social, cultural, political, philosophical and scholarly aspects of the period in respective subsections. This made it easier to later refer to previous chapters and compare different periods in order to learn the comprehensive history of Korea.
The end of World War II marked the formation of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the southern half of the Korean peninsula and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the northern half (“Korea, South”). Although these two countries were formed at the same time, they are now vastly different culturally and economically. The two countries do have some similarities and they are similarities that remind the world that Korea was once united. Hangeul, the accepted South and North Korean national language, is considered to be “one of the most scientific writing systems in the world.” The fact that the language is so easy to read and write is thought to be the reason behind South Korea’s high literacy rate (“Facts About Korea”). Other than their language and a few shared cultural practices, the citizens of North and South Korea have very little in common. South Korea is, ironically, more of a democracy than the DPRK ever was ...
Literature is an essential part of society in the present day and enables the communication between multiple parties in a written form. Texts can provide a vast knowledge on subjects dependent on content whereas novels are often seen as being purely for leisure and enjoyment. However it can often be seen that prose
Have you ever wondered why literature has become what it is today? Why people started to write literature in the first place, and why readers where so motivated about books? Philosophy, the word itself is not as complex as its meaning, but so is literature. Philosophy is a study that seeks answers to enduring questions about existence and reality. The aim of this curiosity for more is the sole purpose to discover the nature of truth and knowledge, finding what is life and its meaning. Philosophy not only examines nature and life, but also humanity as an individual and humanity as a society. These examinations intrigues not only the writers, but also the audience as well, for the reason that philosophy arises from pure wonder, curiosity, and the desire to know and understand, which is what people look for in literature. Philosophers who marked philosophy as it is are, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. These three great philosophers had their own individual judgment, but they all had a common objective, to expand their knowledge and views through the use of literature. As philosophy grew among society and extended throughout the world, people were developing logical reasoning, which became important and influential throughout nations such as Greece and India. Philosophers such as John Locke and Voltaire were the two leading figures in the Enlightenment to provide philosophical literature. Ancient philosophers and enlightenment philosophers both provided the readers a subjective view, using as examples matters such as logic and ethics, but with many more aspects of philosophy also presented by these men of thought. Throughout the years, the inclusion of philosophy has changed literature itself with the rise of curiosity and reasoning,...
Literature has many purposes, and opens doors to unique worlds. Through Literature, we discover ourselves and world time and again.
Literature has had a major impact on society, and, also our history. Literature has reformed and shaped civilizations, changed political systems, and has exposed injustices (3). Our literature has changed and developed as we have, keeping up with our society. “...literature is crucial for the advancement of society (3).” With literary works, we can convince others to view things a certain way, share our opinions, and more. Literature is greatly intertwined with our society and everyday lives, and they would not be the same without it. Literature plays an irreplaceable role in our