• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.47
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• pp.131-161
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• 2017

This work introduces Nada (1944) by Carmen Laforet in humanities in Korea, to add new knowledge about Spanish literature and therefore broaden and enrich humanities. When the opera prima of this Barcelonian author came to light, critics and the readers were shocked at a work that departed from the expiring Spanish novel under Franco's anti-intellectual and anticreative regime, to renew it indefinitely. That was more than 70 years ago, and today the freshness of Andrea's story continues to be prevail, thanks to its most outstanding feature: polyphonic ambiguity in its text, which allows the novel to include and develop different and contradictory meaning. This investigation addresses several critical readings of Nada, produced and extended inside and outside Spain. These readings, together, reveal the exceptional flexibility and complexity of Nada, a work of fiction that reflects and recreates multiple aspects of the human being.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.27
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• pp.81-104
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• 2012

This paper looks into the complexity of the comparative and conflictive elements portrayed on the novel Nada. Through the interpretation of the actions of the female characters, we can classify them into two different categories: pro-Franco and anti-Franco system. Thus, for example, the character Ena is an active, intellectual and liberal woman capable to manipulate and control men who lives at her own free will. This active and liberal personality is clearly not the favored type of woman under Franco, which prefers a society where men are the dominant figures. Another female character, Gloria, places herself far from the Catholicism based morality during the Franco period as she is having an affair with her husband's brother. We also find examples of the opposite, that is, affinity with Franco ideals, such as Angustias' decision to become a member of the convent, in line with the motto "Spain, united and great, through Catholicism"; the example of Ena's mother, nurturing six sons and daughters, also resonates with Franco ideology of a woman's role in the Spanish society, being mostly a reproductive instrument. One of the topics of this novel is the confrontation between the prewar petit bourgeoisie and the new postwar bourgeoisie. We can appreciate a big difference between the lifes of Andrea's family and Pons' family. Andrea has friendly relationships with friends from the new bourgeoisie; however, these interactions are not genuine, but superficial. Because of that, we also conclude that this novel reflects the underlying conflicts between different social strata. We also observe the conflicts and confrontations between republicans and nationalists in this society, through the relationships between two brothers, Juan y $Rom{\acute{a}}n$. During the civil war, Juan collaborates with the national faction, while $Rom{\acute{a}}n$ joins the republican faction. Consequently, they separate from each other due to their different ideologies. We will conclude that this novel also reflects on the idea that the Spanish civil war destroyed fraternity and separated families.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.33
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• pp.121-141
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• 2013

The purpose of this paper is to establish a methodology useful for identifying links between the postwar novels of Spain and Korea. We analyze the lives and actions of the characters from Nada by Carmen Laforet, and Writing on blank paper by Oh Sang Won. The characters in these novels demonstrate the challenge of adapting to the harsh reality of life because of the psychological or physical scars of war: characters such as Jungsub and Jungseo in Writing on blank paper and Juan and Andrea in Nada finally overcome their difficulties thanks to a shared sense of existential conscience and a steadfast fighting spirit; others, like Jungyun and Roman, surrender to the struggle and commit suicide, tragically succumbing to the bitter harshness of reality. Through the analysis of these novels' characters, we can empathize with the common tragedy of war-time life and death; we gain perspective on the destruction of both society and people caused by war.