This study explores the portrayal and narrative significance of the “foolish wife” (愚婦型) character type in the Myeongju Bowolbing(明珠寶月聘) series, a classic Korean novel from the late Joseon Dynasty. The series repeatedly presents this character type through the figures of Yeon Princess and Yeon Hui-byeok. In the first part, Myeongju Bowolbing, the focus is on the marriage between Ha Won-gwang and Yeon Princess, while the second part, Yunhajeong Sammun Chuirok(尹河鄭三門聚錄), examines the marriage between Ha Mong-seong and Yeon Hui-byeok. The narrative, which shows two generations of prominent male heirs marrying “foolish wives,” adds complexity and illustrates the evolution of this character type throughout the series. In the series, Yeon Princess holds the status of a “secondary wife,” while Yeon Hui-byeok occupies the role of the “primary wife,” leading to different outcomes of acceptance and exclusion. This reflects the conservative and discriminatory attitudes toward the roles of primary and secondary wives. Despite her foolishness, Yeon Princess is accepted into the family due to her love and obedience toward her husband. In contrast, Yeon Hui-byeok, lacking the qualities expected of a primary wife and consistently challenging her husband’s authority, experiences ongoing conflict and eventually dies of postpartum illness. Her death symbolizes how women who fail to meet the expectations of a primary wife and Matron of the household are excluded and erased in a patriarchal society, while also illustrating the differential expectations of primary and secondary wives in late Joseon society. Moreover, unlike other works such as Yussi Samdaerok(劉氏三代錄) and Imssi Samdaerok(林氏三代錄), which depict foolish wives from humble backgrounds, Myeongju Bowolbing portrays foolish wives from prestigious families, offering a more nuanced interpretation. The series also demonstrates narrative expansion and variation across its two parts. Through its depiction of the “foolish wife,” Myeongju Bowolbing reveals diverse character portrayals and new narrative possibilities, while also reflecting the values and consciousness of its readers from that era.
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