Journal Search Engine
Search Advanced Search Adode Reader(link)
Download PDF Export Citaion korean bibliography PMC previewer
ISSN : 1229-9618(Print)
ISSN : 2671-7506(Online)
Chinese Studies Vol.82 pp.303-324
DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.14378/KACS.2023.82.82.14

The Coalition among Evil Women in Ancient Korean and Chinese Literature

Lee Kyung-Mi
동서대학교 중국어학과 부교수

Abstract

This article explores the coalition among evil women in ancient Korean and Chinese literature. They rebelled patriarchy by revealing their ‘sexual drive’, ‘craving for power’, ‘possessiveness’ and ‘worldly desires’ without moderation despite the ideas that women must be good wives, wise mothers, and virtuous beings. These ‘evil’ women chose to form a coalition as the last resort to accomplish their goals. While some were mere participants, some with intensifying evil committed felonies such as murder through the coalition and became formidable villainesses. Some women of high birth were forgiven if they repented in dust and ashes due to limitations of a class structure. Yet, patriarchal communities forbade any form of coalition in most cases and punished those involved with more stringent penalties which left their ends more tragic. These tragedies were the ultimate results of disregarding the maladies of patriarchy and the caste system accountable for the appearances of evil women and coercing women into being submissive and sacrificial.

초록

 

Figure

Table