중국 꿈 문학의 효시, ｢몽부(夢賦)｣ ― 꿈의 진실성과 실재성, 그리고 글[文/字]의 주술성 탐구

초록

This paper examines the nature of Wang Yanshou (王延壽)’s “Meng Fu” (｢夢賦｣), written during the Later Han (後漢) dynasty, and to interpret it within the context of the literary succession of the dream culture in early China. Wang’s “Meng Fu” is noteworthy as both the earliest known work to include the term “dream” in its title and the first extant piece of dream literature that offers a comprehensive exploration of the dream experience. Through an analysis of its structure and content, this study interprets “Meng Fu” as both experiential literature—a record of the author’s personal dream experience—and incantatory literature that functions as a means of exorcising nightmares. The “Meng Fu” consists of three main sections. In the first, Wang explicitly asserts that the work originates from his own dream experience. He recounts receiving a text entitled “Ma Gui” (｢罵鬼｣, “Cursing the Spirits”) from Dongfang Shuo (東方朔) during a nightmare. Upon waking, he composed the “Meng Fu”, which records that readers of the text could dispel the malevolent spirits encountered in their dreams. It is classified as ‘experiential literature’ because it documents the author's subjective dream event. It is simultaneously categorized as ‘incantatory literature’ because it serves to banish nightmares caused by demonic entities. Script and characters served as an incantation tool capable of driving away nightmares. The second section presents a detailed narrative of the dream, in which the stylistic and thematic influence of the Shan Hai Jing ( 山海經 , Classic of Mountains and Seas) and the Chu Ci ( 楚辭 , Songs of Chu) is clearly evident. The final section concludes with accounts of dreams experienced by four historical rulers, followed by an anecdote concerning Laozi(老子). The rulers’ dreams, which correspond to historical events, serve to underscore the author’s intent to affirm the veracity of dreams as omens. The inclusion of Laozi—depicted as one who could command spirits—further conveys the idea that even nightmares may be transformed into blessings by those possessing the power to subdue demonic forces. The “Meng Fu” stands as the progenitor of ancient ‘dream literature.’ It is significant not only for identifying the 'dream' as a literary subject but also for being the first work to comprehensively address the theme of dreams. Furthermore, the “Meng Fu” is a work that literarily inherited the treatment of dreams, a topic previously addressed in the domains of religion, rituals, and divination in ancient China. Consequently, it holds profound significance for the subsequent development of Chinese dream literature.

키워드