<숙영낭자전>에 형상화된 여성 욕망과 상징계의 질서

초록

This study examines the interplay between the desires of female characters and Confucian ethics in the classical Joseon-era novel Sukyung Nangjajeon’. By focusing on the three central female characters—Sukyung, Maewol, and Im-Sojeo—it investigates how their desires either conflict with or align with the symbolic order of the time. Drawing on Jacques Lacan's theory of the symbolic order, this paper explores how these characters strive for autonomy through their desires, yet remain fundamentally defined and constrained by the structural boundaries of the symbolic order. Maewol openly expresses her desires, defying the ethics of the symbolic order. However, her rebellion marks her as a target for punishment, ultimately leading to her tragic death. In contrast, Im-Sojeo harmonizes her desires with the symbolic order, aligning them with Confucian ethics. Consequently, she is rewarded, embodying the ideal woman of her society and achieving the status of a virtuous wife. Sukyung stands as a mediating figure between Maewol and Im-Sojeo—both as a victim of the symbolic order and as someone struggling to transcend its constraints. Her death and subsequent resurrection not only reinforce Confucian ethics and the symbolic order but also reflect contemporary perspectives on women's agency and desires. In conclusion, Sukyung Nangjajeon’ holds significance beyond its moral lessons, serving as a complex narrative that delves into the processes through which women's desires and ethics conflict and reconcile. This paper underscores how the symbolic order in Confucian society shapes and regulates the expression of women's desires, as embodied by the characters of Maewol, Im-Sojeo, and Sukyung. Such an analysis positions Sukyung Nangjajeon’ as a pivotal text for understanding the desires and identities of women in late Joseon society, while also offering a critical lens on the limitations imposed by the symbolic order informed by Confucian ethics.

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