뱀, 그 혐오와 매혹: 존 스타인벡의 단편 ｢뱀｣ 다시 읽기

Abstract

The snake's mythical symbolism normally goes hand in hand with humansexuality, evil, or something horrible. However, this paper claims that JohnSteinbeck's The Snake undercuts its usual symbolism, subconsciouslysuggesting a new but ancient one in which though terrible the snake mayappear, it also emerges as something fascinating deep in the mind. It is provenin the story by the main character, Dr. Phillip, who explicitly abhors asnake-like woman but desperately awaits her return. In this paper, the newinterpretation of the snake draws on the ancient symbolism of the snake thatwas earlier worshiped as life-giving earth spirit but later abjected into evil andthus projected to women in general in the patriarchal mythical frame. It is clearthat seeing The Snake in light of the ancient symbolism enables Steinbeck'sown incomprehensible puzzle at Ed Ricketts's real story as well as Dr. Phillips'sto be comprehensible.