How Guilty Conscience Arises When a Mother’s Story Becomes Daughter’s: A Case of Eungsung Kim’s <My Mother’s Story>

This article investigates the intricate dynamics of guilt and conscience within a collective framework, employing ekphrastic surface reading of Eunsung Kim’s graphic narrative, My Mother’s Story. Her verbal-visual narrative intricately juxtaposes with Sophocles’ Antigone to explore the complicated notion of guilt, reconciliation, and identity against a backdrop of personal and collective experience. Parallel to Creon’s harrowing self-realization in Antigone, Kim’s narrative unfolds through a nuanced introspection into her identity and complex relationship with her mother, Bokdongyeo Lee. Set amidst the tumultuous landscape of 20th-century Korean history, the narrative transitions from Bokdongyeo’s life to Eunsung’s internal conflict as a passive observer of her mother’s struggles, showcasing guilt as an ever-present force shaping personal and familial identity. The narrative’s use of both realistic and surrealistic imagery vividly captures the complex interrelation between Eunsung and her mother, highlighting the significant impact of familial ties, particularly maternal connections, on identity formation in collective cultures. The article pays special attention to the final volume of the graphic series, emphasizing the intricate blend of individual experiences with collective memory. This confluence of personal and shared histories enriches the narrative, offering a profound exploration of identity within the interconnected fabric of family and society. By integrating insights from neuroscience on identity in collective cultures, the article extends beyond literary analysis to encompass the broader implications of narrative and neuroscientific perspectives on the dynamics of familial and societal relationships. It explores the profound human experiences of guilt, reconciliation, and understanding, revealing the intricate ways in which our identities are forged within the matrix of collective societies. This comprehensive examination illuminates the complex interdependencies that shape our perceptions of self and others, enriching our understanding of the multifaceted nature of human experience.