King Jeongjo’s Understanding of the Four Books and Six Classics and Neo-Confucian Literary Theory - Focusing on Ildeukrok: Literature -

This study aims to analyze King Jeongjo’s (r. 1776-1800) understanding of Confucian classics and his theory of literary composition, focusing on Ildeukrok (Quotations from King Jeongjo, or literally, the Records of Daily Learning). Jeongjo emphasized a harmonious integration of the Four Books and the Six Classics through the lens of Neo-Confucianism, particularly the teachings of Zhu Xi. By positioning the Great Learning (Daxue) as a central text, King Jeongjo sought to reform the literary culture and reinforce state governance in late Joseon dynasty. While he adhered to Zhu Xi’s interpretative framework, King Jeongjo demonstrated flexibility in addressing the contemporary academic and social challenges. This paper examines King Jeongjo’s focus on the Six Classics, exploring how his literary ideas transcended mere academic discourses to serve as a practical tool for reinforcing state disciplines and social edification. Through this analysis, the study sheds light on how King Jeongjo’s integrated approach to the Confucian canons influenced the political and cultural developments of the late Joseon period and reevaluates the academic significance of his literary theory.