성숙 없는 세계와 노년: 레씽의 『어느 좋은 이웃의 일기』 (Old Age and the World without Maturity: A Study of Lessing’s The Diary of a Good Neighbor)

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 영미문학연구회
· 수록지 정보 : 영미문학연구 / 16호 / 69 ~ 90페이지
· 저자명 : 최선령

초록

As returning to realism from her science fictions, Doris Lessing is said to confront the problem with old age in The Diary of a Good Neighbour. This novel does not only concern the old age that modern western culture has feared and avoided, but it also reflects that the fear for the old age is interwoven with the lack of maturity in youth and middle age. For if youth leads to the middle and then old age without maturity or rather tries to prolong itself, which is one of the cultural symptoms of modern western society, old age inevitably becomes a wholly negative stage of life. In The Diary of a Good Neighbour, Jane Somers, the middle-aged heroine, after experiencing her life’s crisis of the death of her husband and mother, explores the close relationship with a very old working-class woman over ninety, Maudie Fowler. Gradually the earnest concern for the life of old women allows Jane to approach the real meaning of maturity and old age. When she calls herself “Child-Wife, Child-Daughter” in the early part of this novel, the acute self-awareness of her immaturity is unreservedly brought to the fore. But through the relationship with Maudie as a ‘friend,’ Jane grows up and has the unprecedented experience of real human intimacy. She also comes to learn how to control her ‘social’ professional work where her life has decisively and desperately centered. Moreover, she learns to slow down and really enjoy her life without the fear for old age and even death. But the most unusual and significant achievement of this novel comes from the panoramic portrayal of both bourgeoise and working class women of three generations and their searching for the passionate relationships with each other.

영어초록

As returning to realism from her science fictions, Doris Lessing is said to confront the problem with old age in The Diary of a Good Neighbour. This novel does not only concern the old age that modern western culture has feared and avoided, but it also reflects that the fear for the old age is interwoven with the lack of maturity in youth and middle age. For if youth leads to the middle and then old age without maturity or rather tries to prolong itself, which is one of the cultural symptoms of modern western society, old age inevitably becomes a wholly negative stage of life. In The Diary of a Good Neighbour, Jane Somers, the middle-aged heroine, after experiencing her life’s crisis of the death of her husband and mother, explores the close relationship with a very old working-class woman over ninety, Maudie Fowler. Gradually the earnest concern for the life of old women allows Jane to approach the real meaning of maturity and old age. When she calls herself “Child-Wife, Child-Daughter” in the early part of this novel, the acute self-awareness of her immaturity is unreservedly brought to the fore. But through the relationship with Maudie as a ‘friend,’ Jane grows up and has the unprecedented experience of real human intimacy. She also comes to learn how to control her ‘social’ professional work where her life has decisively and desperately centered. Moreover, she learns to slow down and really enjoy her life without the fear for old age and even death. But the most unusual and significant achievement of this novel comes from the panoramic portrayal of both bourgeoise and working class women of three generations and their searching for the passionate relationships with each other.

참고자료

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