<서유견문>의 서구 여행 체험과 문명 표상

Abstract

I try to examine Seoyugeonmun(『西遊見聞』) written by Yu Gil-Jun, in the point of a travel sketch. Until now Seoyugeonmun(『西遊見聞』) has been generally studied in terms of an author's recognition about western civilization or an idea of modern political system in the field of historical science and political science. Yu Gil-Jun's direct travel experiences in the west are mainly mentioned in chapter 19, 20, end of the book. In that part recording direct and indirect travel experiences in many western countries, subjective description and vivid narration about the facts he saw are outstanding. So, we can say that the first half of Seoyugeonmun(『西遊見聞』) is an abstract statement, on the other hand travel experiences in that part are concrete and realistic examples complementing it. By travel in the western cities, Yu Gil-Jun foresaw an image of the future of modern Chosun he expected. Those are that a king and a nation work together for government, the country keeps independent among the world Powers, and man-made civilization and nature are in harmony in the country.