The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong: The Autobiographical Writings of a Crown Princess of Eighteenth-Century KoreaJaHyun Kim Haboush Lady Hyegyong's memoirs, which recount the chilling murder of her husband by his father, is one of the best known and most popular classics of Korean literature. From 1795 until 1805 Lady Hyegyong composed this masterpiece, which depicts a court life whose drama and pathos is of Shakespearean proportions. Presented in its social, cultural, and historical contexts, this complete English translation opens a door into a world teeming with conflicting passions, political intrigue, and the daily preoccupations of a deeply intelligent and articulate woman. JaHyun Kim Haboush's accurate, fluid translation captures the intimate and expressive voice of this consummate storyteller. The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong is a unique exploration of Korean selfhood and of how the genre of autobiography fared in premodern times. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Translators Note | 37 |
Principal Persons | 39 |
The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong | 47 |
The Memoir of 1795 | 49 |
The Memoir of 1801 | 137 |
Illustrations follow page | 195 |
The Memoir of 1802 | 197 |
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Common terms and phrases
became ceremony Ch'oe Ch'ongju child Chongjo Chongsu Choson concern court Crown Prince daughter death deeply died dynasty eunuchs father feel felt fifth month filial devotion Grand Heir grandson grew grief Haboush Han Yu Heaven Heir Apparent Heir's Hong family Hong Inhan Hong Nagim Hong Ponghan Hugyom husband Hwasong Hyegyong's illness incident kapsul King Sunjo King Yongjo Korean Kugyong Kwiju Kyujanggak ladies-in-waiting Lady HyegyŎng Lady Sonhui late King live Lord Madame Chong Majesty Majesty's manuscript maternal Memoir of 1801 memorial Minister mother mourning Noron official older brother pain palace parents Pavilion person Prince Sado Prince-Regent Prince's Princess Consort Princess Hwap'yong punishment Queen Chongsong Queen Dowager Inwon regency residence rice chest royal Sado's sagacious heart second month secondary consort seemed sent Seoul Sillok sister son's Soron stay Sunjo things third brother throne took uncle wife wish Yongjo young Yun Im