Abstract
The purpose of this study is to find out to meaning and practical use of 'Anbang' of which unique roles and function has not been changed till now since Chosun dynasty. The Study has been carried out by selecting 27 novels in which the word 'Anbang' mentioned frequently and analyzing the sentences with 'Anbang' . The major finding were summarized as follows: 1. Since Chosun dynasty till now, 'Anbang' in most important space for Korean in residential area its meaning and practical use had not been changed. 2. The meaning of Anbang could be categorized into two parts; One was general symbolic meaning which was perceived mentally in general and the other was specific symbolic meaning which was varied by uses. In case of general symbolic meaning 'Anbang' implied a space with light turned on late at night, a very special space from the point of interior decoration and size, a space to keep very important stuffs and a space to deal with very important business. In case of specific symbolic meaning during Chosun dynasty, 'Anbang' was used as a pronoun to imply a mistress as major occupant was a mistress. Since then, gradually, 'Anbang' was used as a pronoun to imply married couple as married couple becomes major occupant. 3. The practical use of 'Anbang' cold be categorized into two; One was routine usage and the other was exceptional usage. The typical routine use were sleeping, dining family gathering, visitor greeting, clothes changing and sewing. The exceptional use were a Sebae(new year's bow), Pyebaek(make a deep bow and offer her gifts to her parents-in-law) and patient curing.
