ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

This study critically examines the lack of existing research on Han Kang's The White Book and provides an in-depth analysis of the symbolic meaning of "white" as it permeates the entire work. The White Book begins with personal loss and expands into collective mourning and ethical solidarity, addressing fundamental philosophical questions about human existence through themes of life and death, loss and healing, memory, and transcendence. The study focuses on the symbolic meaning of "white" within the three parts of the novel: I, She, and All the Whites, analyzing them from an intertextual perspective. First, in the I section, "white" is approached through existential exploration and the ouroboros imagination. The ouroboros, symbolizing the cyclical connection of life and death, is used to delve into the protagonist's experiences of loss and reflection, revealing the continuity of life and transcendent possibilities. Second, in the She section, the focus shifts to the deconstructed imagery of "white" and the rituals of summoning the dead. The pain and sorrow of "she," who lives through the narrator's body, evoke the myth of Baridegi, the shaman who brings back souls from the afterlife, illustrating how personal loss evolves into ethical solidarity. Third, in the All the Whites section, "white" becomes a unifying force, connecting the narrator and "she" beyond the boundaries of memory and forgetfulness. In this process, "white" serves as a symbol of purification, healing, life, and rebirth, transforming loss and mourning into ethical action and new possibilities. The meaning of "white" also exhibits intertextuality with Han Kang's other works, forming a mythological delta throughout her oeuvre. This symbolic thread enriches the exploration of life and death, the interconnectedness of humanity and the world, and the message of solidarity and responsibility. By focusing on the symbolic imagery of "white," this study illuminates the philosophical depth and ethical message of The White Book while reevaluating Han Kang's position and significance in contemporary literature.

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