Book Information
Title: Blindman's Daughter (Literal - Filial Daughter Shim Chung*)
Author: Folklore, thus author undetermined, however, this story is edited by Edward B. Adams,
Illustrator: Dong Ho Choi
Publication: 1981
Genre: Folklore
*In Korean culture, the family name goes first in naming order
Summary
A great many years ago... there lived a family that was made from a blind man, and his daughter, Shim Chung. Chung's mother died early when she was young, and Mr Shim, being blind and not able to take care of Chung by himself, the women of the neighborhood helped in raising Chung.
One day, when a Buddhist monk was walking over the bridge, he heard someone screaming, "save me! I have fallen and cannot swim!" The monk immediately jumped into the water, and saved the man who was sinking - Chung's dad. Not too long later, the monk has learned that little Chung has been praying for her father's sight to the heavenly spirit. The monk said that she may need to prepare 300 bags of rice for the heavenly spirit, then a miracle would occur. Chung has overheard it, and thought of an opportunity to find 300 bags of rice.
Not too much later, there were a group of merchants seeking for a maiden who was willing to be a sacrifice to the Great Water King in order pacify the angry sea dragon, so the merchants will have a save voyage to China. Chung heard of this, and offered herself to be the sacrifice for 300 bags of rice. At first, the merchants were reluctant, but agreed to the deal, and 300 bags of rice was to be delivered to the temple, and Chung was to be taken away to be sacrificed on the next full moon.
Excitedly, Chung told her father that she found a way to give 300 bags of rice in return for his sight - but did not told him how she was able to find that many bags of rice. Chung decided that there were so much to prepare for her father once Chung was sacrificed, and the father would have been left alone. She washed all his clothing, mended his horsehair hat, and repaired all the rice paper in the windows in their home.
Finally, the day came for Chung to leave her home...
6 Element of Social Justice
This story is very true to Chosun Korea (reigned during 1392-1897) and their cultural norms. Back then it was essential for Korean people to practice either Confucianism and/or Buddhism, which taught the virtue of being a filial offspring and honor parents over self. This behavior is indicated by Chung's willingness to do anything for her father. Because of the traditional value the book displays, it was difficult to find any elements that concerned social justice, however, few considerations were made. In the story, it was shown that the Mr. Shim's neighborhoods helped in raising Chung, as if they were a big family. It was also shown that how much frustration and limitations Mr. Shim experienced as a blind person, and we can experience the frustrations firsthand. By reading and understanding the frustrations, it is possible that we would become more mindful toward the blind people. Lastly, this book allows us to critically think about how much the time has changed since the time of publication - to consider if Korea are still practicing the same mindset as Chung did and/or otherwise.
No comments:
Post a Comment