This paper explores the role of resentment in Joseon women's literary expressions, challenging traditional Confucian views. While resentment is often seen as a sign of weakness, it becomes transformative when combined with moral emotions like filial longing and self-respect.
The study analyzes how these women's writings—poems, letters, and notes—served as a medium for self-empowerment and solidarity. Despite their wishes to have these works destroyed after death, they were preserved and shared across generations.
By revealing vulnerability through writing, Joseon women empowered themselves and created a shared emotional landscape with others facing similar circumstances. This research highlights the interplay between Confucian ethics, gender dynamics, and emotional expression in Joseon society.