• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.25
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• pp.337-362
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• 2011

This study focused on difference of the nation's concept between Ko un's Baekdusan and Lee uk's Gohyangsaramdul, Pungungi. These works are epics restructure nation's history. A epic's story provides framework of recognition to social members. An individual and community accept their story and then stories construct pesonal identity and community's identity. So we can say a epic configurates national identity by story nation history and nation territory. The nation's concept is understood steadfast and very pure as like a blood relationship in Korea. This is aspects of Korean nationalism. But the Nation is modern, social and historical concept. That is different from ethnic identity. This way throws open the door to analyze nation identity. Ko un's Baekdusan narrates permanence and sacralization of the nation for emphasizing the unification of North Korea and South Korea. Baekdusan expresses the social desire of Korea in the 1980s. In comparison, Lee uk's Gohyangsaramdul representate ambivalent attitude. One is a position as a settler and the other is a new master of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture. So Gohyangsaramdul narrates and remembers their motherland Chosun. But Pungungi exclude recognition of Chosun as motherland. This work's narration focuses on association with struggle of classes and anti-Japanese Movement during the Japanese colonial period. Because these events are able to unity Korean and Chines. Three works deal with same history and same background, but those show defferent recognition about the Nation. Because each society has different social desire and expect different future. The present desire and future prospect construct nation identity.