Journal article
Crossing the Lines: Pak Indok, Christianity, and the Impulse to Claim New Space
Journal of Korean religions, Vol.12(2), pp.37-67
10/01/2021
DOI: 10.1353/jkr.2021.0006
Abstract
Pak Indok (1896-1980) is one of the most controversial women intellectuals of modern Korea. She was the protege of US missionary teachers in her youth, an activist for national independence, a member of the US-educated elite, a prominent Christian convert who travelled around the world twice giving lectures about her salvation, an early media figure dubbed "Korea's Nora'' after her sensational divorce, and a collaborator with the Japanese imperial power during the Pacific War who quickly switched her political allegiance in postcolonial Korea to become a vehement anti-communist. Using Pak's lifestory as a casestudy, this article examines the critical role of Protestant Christianity in shaping the gender politics of colonial-era Korea through which women navigated conflicting life options, coped with old and new challenges, and positioned themselves a mid turbulent political changes. It particularly illuminates Pak's choices and strategiesforherlifeandwork, whichcouldbe alternatively characterizedas``fluid,''``ingenious,''``opportunistic,'' oreven``immoral,'' depending ontheperspectiveoneadoptsonher. Thisarticlebringstolighttensionsbetween nationalism and feminism, between Christian faith and political allegiance, and between individual ambition and national wellbeing.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Crossing the Lines: Pak Indok, Christianity, and the Impulse to Claim New Space
- Creators
- Hyaeweol Choi - Univ Iowa, Korean Studies, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of Korean religions, Vol.12(2), pp.37-67
- DOI
- 10.1353/jkr.2021.0006
- ISSN
- 2093-7288
- eISSN
- 2167-2040
- Publisher
- Inst Study Religion, Sogang Univ
- Number of pages
- 31
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/01/2021
- Academic Unit
- Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies; Religious Studies
- Record Identifier
- 9984269240102771
Metrics
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