『각성』에서 나타나는 동성애적 성향과 기독교적 관점

Abstract

The crux of this paper is to compare homosexual disposition in The Awakening, with the biblical perspective on homosexuality. Edna, in The Awakening, exhibits homosexual tendencies through her pursuit of love with her female relationships, as opposed to her male relationships. While the Bible clearly defines homosexuality as a sin, the teaching of Christ has the spirit of forgiveness, which includes a deep and intensive understanding of the sin. The understanding of Edna’s desire for ultimate love is a crucial key to dealing with the problem of homosexuality. The dispute on whether homosexuality is a sin or not causes a constant struggle without any resolution. Edna’s desire for ultimate love transcends the concept of lust, and deeply implies the life force of human nature. Therefore, to overcome homosexuality, her sexual energy needs to be sublimated into a creative energy of a higher level such as religion and art. In the Bible, Christ’s teaching for the forgiveness of the sin suggests the possibility to detect the fundamental desire hidden in Edna’s homosexual tendencies.