• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.48
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• pp.289-310
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• 2012

The present study analyzes the content of "Suojaegi (The Account of the Suo Residence)," an essay written by the Joseon-dynasty scholar Jeong Yak-yong (丁若鏞, 1762-1836). The study identifies the work's characteristic features and significance, seeking to develop a methodology to use this essay to teach students how to write. In terms of its content, the author of "Suojaegi" asserts what it means to "protect one's self-integrity" as the word "Suo" means in the title of the residence where the author's brother Jeong Yak-hyeon(丁若鉉) lived. According to the author, his elder brother could keep on living in his house, without being sent to exile in the political turmoils, because he preserved his sense of self and adhered to his principles. The originality of the essay is attributed to the use of gi (記), a genre of writing in classical Chinese that can be translated as "record," or "account," to express his thoughts in a place of exile in the form of a dialogue with his own self. Lastly, this self-reflective essay can be served as a guide for teaching students to make their own pen names, and to write a letter of self-introduction.