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The Review of Korean Studies

The Relationship between Neo-Confucianism and Korean Literature

The Review of Korean Studies / The Review of Korean Studies, (P)1229-0076; (E)2773-9351
2020, v.23 no.2, pp.39-62
https://doi.org/10.25024/review.2020.23.2.003

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Abstract

This article examines the relationship of Korean classical literature and NeoConfucianism. By looking at the historical process of how thought and ideas influenced literature, it reviews the way Neo-Confucianism was introduced during late Goryeo and became the exclusionary state ideology throughout Joseon. The article reveals that after late Goryeo, the Way assumed dominance over literature, thelatter of which was regarded as an instrument, and Confucian values deeply permeated the themes of literature. The article also analyzes the conceptual tendency, the absorption into nature, and the centrality of interiority in literature as the influence of Neo-Confucianism and concludes that the two—literature and Neo-Confucianism—are closely linked.

keywords
Neo-Confucianism (seongnihak), the argument that literature is what carries the way (jaedoron), becoming one with things (mul a ilche), idealism, the Way and literature must agree (do mun ilchi), observing things (gwanmul)

The Review of Korean Studies