청말 해외견문록에 나타난 다양한 서양 인식과 개혁 담론

Abstract

청말은 중국의 전통적인 세계관이 무너지고 새로운 세계관이 형성되는 시기로, 중국인들은 자아비판의 칼을 들고 혁명에 매진한 시대였다. 청말 중국인들의 해외 출국은 근대화 모색의 일환으로, 그들이 쓴 해외견문록에는 타자와의 충돌과 융합·배척과 수용의 단계를 거쳐 자아의 현실을 극복해 가는 복잡 미묘한 심경이 고스란히 담겨 있다. 中ㆍ西를 횡단하는 그들의 여행을 따라가다 보면, 그들의 ‘타자’에 대한 묘사와 인식에 대한 변화 및 그 속에 내포된 ‘자아’형상의 성장 흔적의 맥락을 짚어 볼 수 있다.

The Late Qing Dynasty’s Overseas Travel Notes is a sign that the Chinese first experienced the West at the end of the Qing Dynasty. And the process of moving from closure to openness and conservatism to progress was recorded. This is an important study of modern thought changes and progress. In Overseas Travel Notes, travelers(Subject culture) discuss the West through exchange, conflict and harmony with the destination(Object culture), and project China. The Late Qing Dynasty's Overseas Travel Notes has a wide range of writers, varying degrees of depth and views of content. Among the authors are a government mission examining Western politics and climate, a student who is interested in learning, a merchant who wanted to make money in business, a business who made a living, and a political refugee. Their motive for leaving the country, personal insight and political stance are quite different. This paper will examine the psychological conflict and modernization process of the Chinese at the end of the Qing Dynasty, based on the authors of the Overseas Travel Notes and their motive for leaving the country