An Analysis of the Use of Allusions in Su-Seng-Ji by Lim Jae

Pseudo-biographies refer to the techniques of borrowing biographies of historical figures to convey the author's creative ideas，ideals of life，and views of society. Han Yu's A Biography of Mao Ying is considered the origin of the genre of pseudo-biography in China. Pseudo-biographical works from China were introduced to Korea during the Goryeo period， coinciding with the flourishing development of Han literature in Korea. The pseudo-biographical and allegorical nature of these works were adapted to the special political and cultural background of the Korean military coup and dictatorship at that time，and were soon adopted by Goryeo literati. A considerable number of pseudo-biographies based on personified animals， plants，and inanimate objects emerged. These pseudo-biographies were often accompanied by a myriad of Chinese cultural allusions to fictionalize the life or family history of the main protagonist，thus insinuating the reality of the society，current politics and officialdom at that time. During the Joseon Dynasty，Lim Jae's Su-Seng-Ji（The Record of the Castle of Sorrow） anthropomorphized the human mind for the first time，which is of pioneering significance. This work has both the characteristics of biography and novel，and also has the characteristics of local gazetteer to a certain extent. Not only did the work inherit the artifact pseudo-biography from the outset，but it also inspired a series of novels that personify the human mind. Unlike in previous pseudo-biographies，the allusions in Su-Seng-Ji are not only sarcastic，but also reveal the author's own political stance and his personal sadness euphemistically. The types of Chinese cultural allusions quoted in Su-Seng-Ji are rich and diverse，and can be mainly categorized into allusions to“heart，”“city，”and“wine.”The use of allusions is original，flexible and unique in terms of meaning，implicit repetition，and the intertextual appropriation of collected sentences. Lim Jae's contribution to the development of pseudo-biography and his extraordinary use of allusion not only reflect the close connection between Chinese and Korean cultures and literatures，but also manifest Lim Jae's familiarity with and identification with Chinese culture and his innovative spirit to absorb the influence of Chinese literature.