구비설화에 나타난 공감의 지점과 역할 ― 보은담에 나타난 시은의 공감을 중심으로 ―

초록

This study aims to examine the structure of empathy embedded in the context of sieun (施恩), the act of benevolence that precedes the act of repaying kindness (boeun) in gratitude tales (boeundam). By doing so, it seeks to identify the moments in life where empathy was recognized as essential by traditional storytellers and listeners, and to categorize the roles empathy plays within these narratives. While previous studies on boeundam have primarily focused on the act of repayment and its causal structure, this study shifts attention to the emotional and ethical dynamics that operate in the earlier stage of sieun. It argues that empathy, rather than being mere emotional sharing, serves as a narrative force that arises from the recognition of others’ circumstances and leads to altruistic action. Based on this perspective, the study classifies the roles of empathy expressed through sieun into three types: first, empathy that extends or saves the life of another; second, empathy that protects the honor and dignity of another; and third, empathy that promotes harmony within the community. This typology reveals that empathy functions not only as an emotional interaction but also as an ethical principle that shapes and sustains human relationships. The expression of empathy through sieun in boeundam reflects the communal values and emotional ideals of traditional audiences. At the same time, it offers significant implications for addressing the tension between individualism and communalism in contemporary society by presenting a model for the sustainability of human relationships. This study thus reconsiders the educational and ethical potential of oral folktales and aims to contribute to future interpretive expansions of empathy-centered narratives within traditional storytelling.

키워드