Final answer:
In "Winged Blackmail," fear is employed as a central theme, with the protagonist Gil-Dong using trickery to instill fear in the assassins, both punishing and redeeming them. This generates suspense and engages the audience, while also exploring the consequences of actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In "Winged Blackmail," the theme of fear is central to the narrative. Fear manifests in several ways, particularly through the role of the trickster as exemplified by the protagonist, Gil-Dong. The rhetorical device of trickery creates tension and builds suspense as Gil-Dong uses his cleverness to outwit the assassins. This tactic not only impacts the characters within the story, triggering fear and confusion, but also engages the reading audience, keeping them intrigued about the outcome.
The text draws upon the symbolism of crows and storms to elicit a sense of impending doom. When the assassins are thwarted and confronted by high mountains and a fierce storm, fear escalates to terror. Gil-Dong, riding on a donkey and playing a flute, then manages to disarm the assassins, symbolizing the triumph of cunning over brute force. His display of mercy in response to their fear reinforces the power dynamics at play and serves to teach a moral lesson regarding the consequences of one's actions.
Furthermore, examining the text through the lens of fear deepens our understanding of the narrative. As the assassins are paralyzed by their fear, the audience witnesses the transformative power of fear and the manner in which it can be exploited by the trickster character for both punitive and redemptive outcomes.