This study aims to analyze changes in the representation and perception of the elderly in Korean literary works across different periods using text analysis techniques. Representative works from specific eras were selected to extract narratives and expressions related to the elderly, focusing on the evolving patterns of depiction over time. Through this analysis, the study examines how the image of the elderly in literary works is connected to each period's social, economic, and cultural contexts and explores the impact of these literary representations on the formation of societal discourse.
Analyzing all literary works from the period is limited, so this study examines 341 pieces of Korean literature in 18 different high school Korean language textbooks. These textbooks ensure a balanced selection of works without bias toward specific periods, regions, fields, or authors. They aim to comprehensively reflect the historical flow of Korean literature. Thus, the works included in these textbooks are considered suitable for understanding Korean literature's overall characteristics and temporal trends.
To collect data, the full text of literary works is gathered through web crawling or accessing the Korean literature database. Subsequently, frequency-based analysis, sentiment analysis, and topic modeling are applied, and the trends in depicting the elderly across different periods are compared using trend analysis. This research provides a foundation for understanding the socio-cultural background of changing perceptions of the elderly through Korean literature. Furthermore, it is expected to serve as an academic resource for improving social awareness and fostering inclusive discourse on the elderly.

Authors:
Min Ho Ryu, Dong-A University, South Korea
Sohui Kim, Dong-A University, South Korea

About the Presenter(s)
Sohui Kim is an associated Ph.D. student in the Department of Management Information Systems, Dong-A University in Korea

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