김춘수와 존재의 성화(聖化) －김춘수와 루오－

Abstract

Kim Chun Su often questioned the problems of human existences ethics on the levels of existentialism and religion. In order to resolve such questions, he studied the figure of Jesus, wishing that Jesus would be a humane existence who stands by human and understands humans pain and sorrow. Such thoughts led to Kims interest in the characteristics of Georges Rouaults paintings. Rouault did not paint Jesus as the one who stands afar from human, detached and aloof. Instead, Rouaults Jesus is the humans true companion who appears in a shabby and humble form, endlessly loving and pitying foolish human. Rouault endeavored to transfer such an image of a human or Jesus to his paintings. In this context, the themes of Rouaults paintings included prostitutes and clowns, for they are truly the marginalized existence who are shunned and abandoned by the society. In looking at this existence, he discovered the typical image of human who are lost yet waiting for someones helping hand out of the fateful depth of sin. Thus, Rouault argues that sanctification is more important than purification for human. Because humans are not as perfect as gods, their effort to rid of human imperfection would eventually fail. It is unnatural to narrow the distance between human and god in such a way. Instead, Rouault saw the new way to sanctification in understanding humans as they are and in humbling oneself, confessing ones flaws, and pleading for forgiveness before god. As such, the absolute distance from god could be overcome in the humans internal world, and through this overcoming an existence could reach the level of sanctification. Kims poetry demonstrates the poets attraction to Rouaults such thoughts and keys to resolving his own questions. He specifically materializes such attitude in his series of poems Grandfather Rouaults Two Oil Paintings and several poems including Madrids Young Prostitute. Through these works, Kim freed himself from his own existential agony and questions and provided for himself an opportunity to build oneself more mature and free.