Early Korean Literature: Selections and Introductions

by David McCann

Overview

Preeminent scholar and translator David R. McCann presents an anthology of his own translations of works ranging across the major genres and authors of Korean writing—stories, legends, poems, historical vignettes, and other works—and a set of critical essays on major themes.

A brief history of traditional Korean literature orients the reader to the historical context of the writings, thus bringing into focus this rich literary tradition. The anthology of translations begins with the Samguk sagi, or History of the Three Kingdoms, written in 1145, and ends with "The Story of Master Hô," written in the late 1700s. Three exploratory essays of particular subtlety and lucidity raise interpretive and comparative issues that provide a creative, sophisticated framework for approaching the selections.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780231505741
Publisher:	Columbia University Press
Publication date:	09/14/2000
Series:	NONE
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
Lexile:	1350L (what's this?)
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

David R. McCann is Korea Foundation Professor of Korean Literature in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University. His publications include Selected Poems of Sô Chôngju and Form and Freedom in Korean Poetry.

Table of Contents

Preface
A Brief History of Korean Literature to the Nineteenth Century
Part 1: An Anthology of Korean Literature
The "Samguk sagi"(1145)
"Song of the Oriole''
The "Samguk yusa" (1285)
Book 1: Tan'gun ("Ancient Chosìn")
Book 2: The Story of Lady Suro
Book 2: Ch'ìyong and Manghae Temple
Book 2: King Mu
Koryì Songs
"Would You Go?''
"Song of Green Mountains''
History as Literature: The Political and Cultural Transition from Koryì to Chosìn
The "Sijo" Exchange Between Yi Pang-wìn and Chìng Mong-ju
The "Koryìsa": The "History of Koryì"
Book 2: The Ten Injunctions and the Death of Wang Kìn
Book 117: Biographies: Chìng Mong-ju
"Song of the Dragons Flying to Heaven"
Early Chosìn (1392--1598)
"Sijo"
"Sijo" Songs
"Song of the Five Friends'' by Yun Sìn-do
"Sijo" by Chìng Ch'ìl
"Sijo" Ascribed to "Kisaeng"
"Kasa"
"Song to Spring'' by Chìng Kñg-in
"Song of Longing'' by Chìng Ch'ìl
"Song of a Humble Life'' by Pak Il-lo
"Married Sorrow'' by Hì Nansìrhìn
"Hanmun": Poems and Prose in Chinese
"Hansi" by Yi Kyu-bo and Others
"Hansi" by Hì Nansìrhìn
"Hansi" by Lady Chìng and Other Women
"The Story of Master Hì'' by Pak Chi-wìn
Part 2: Negotiations in Korean Literary Culture
Introduction
The Story of Ch'ìyong: A Parable of Literary Negotiation
Song of the Dragons Flying to Heaven: Negotiating History
Performance and Korean "Sijo" Verse: Negotiating Difference
Conclusion

What People are Saying About This

Seiji Lippit

David McCann's Early Korean Literature combines an impressive selection of Korean texts from the twelfth to the eighteenth centuries with a series of critical essays that provide creative and sophisticated readings of several of those selections.

— Seiji Lippit, UCLA, editor of The Essential Akutagawa

Editorial Reviews

A brief history of Korean literature up to the 19th century is followed by a selective anthology of Korean literature including the (1145), a selection of books from the (1285), the Koryo Songs, and texts illustrating the political and cultural transition from Koryo to Choson, all accompanied by the editor's commentary and historical background. The second section addresses interpretive or comparative issues relating to the volume's literary selections. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Early Korean Literature presents a provocative theory of the role of 'literary culture' in Korean literature.

Acta Koreana - Robert J. Fouser

Early Korean Literature presents a provocative theory of the role of 'literary culture' in Korean literature.

— Robert J. Fouser

Acta Koreana