Part 1
처음 ~ 허생이 변 씨에게 만 냥을 빌리기까지
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The Tale of Master Heo
In a shabby thatched hut below Namsan in Hanyang lives Master Heo, a scholar who does nothing but read while his wife takes in sewing to keep them alive. He has vowed to study for ten years and never sits the civil-service exams. One day his hungry wife's scolding finally drives him out of the door, and he sets off to find the richest man in the capital.
Criticism of yangban who read but do nothing usefulThe weakness of Joseon's economy and the value of tradeRealist (Silhak) ideas for a stronger, richer countryPride, integrity and contempt for wealth
Public domain: the author died in 1805 and the work was published in 1780, so its copyright has ended in Korea, the US and the EU. Everything written here is our own; no translation is copied.
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Characters
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- 허생 Master Heo A penniless scholar below Namsan who has vowed to read for ten years and never sits the exams.
- 변 씨 Byeon The richest man in Hanyang, proud of his eye for people.
- 허생의 아내 Heo's Wife A worn-out wife who keeps the household alive by sewing while her husband only reads.
- 늙은 사공 The Old Boatman
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Part 2
허생이 안성으로 내려가 ~ 도적들을 데리고 섬에 들어가기까지
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Part 3
섬을 일구어 ~ 변 씨와 사귀며 돈 번 방법을 말하기까지
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Part 4
이완 대장이 허생을 찾아오는 대목 ~ 끝
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