The snake-husband narrative is a popular story about a marriage between a human female and a snake-turned-to-human male. This kind of narrative is widely distributed in China and Korea. The Chinese narrative of this kind belongs to AT433 type, and the...
The snake-husband narrative is a popular story about a marriage between a human female and a snake-turned-to-human male. This kind of narrative is widely distributed in China and Korea. The Chinese narrative of this kind belongs to AT433 type, and the Korean one comprises both AT433 type and AT425 type. The details of these narratives in the two countries show some differences as well as similarities.
The aim of this thesis is to compare the Chinese narrative with the Korean one and to discuss the relationship between the two. The common folk custom and totemism in the two countries can be studied through the comparison of similarities in the narratives, while the distinctive characteristics can he discussed within the context of the differences between the two.
First, this paper classifies these narratives of the two countries into the basic type and variant types A, B, and C. The basic type has a complex story and a complete structure, and is most widely distributed. Variant types show many variations in comparison to the basic type. The variant type A of the narratives is 'a failed plot type', and exists in both countries. The variant type B is 'a separated couple type' and also exists in both countries, One variant type C is 'a villain imitation type', and found in China. Another variant type C is 'sister conspiracy type', and found in Korea.
Next, this paper presents a comparative analysis of the important motifs of the two countries' narratives. These motifs reveal the primary factors contained in the narratives. Common motifs of the two countries' narratives are 'transformation' motif is related to animal totemism. there was a totemic worship of snake in ancient China and Korea. The motif of 'a marriage between a human and a beast' in the narratives is a marriage between a human and a transformed animal. Heroines in the narratives also have to go though a series of trials. Trials in the Chinese narrative are the test of life and will of heroines. Trials in the Korean narrative are the test of cleverness, capability, and patience. There are motifs that reflect the distinct characteristics of narratives of the two countries. The Chinese narrative has a motif of incarnation, which reveals the primary element of the Chinese narrative. The Korean narrative has motifs of a birth and taboo. A snake is born by a woman in the Korean narrative, implying a mythical nature of birth. This shows the sanctity of the snake-husband.
This thesis also examines major figures in the snake-husband narratives, including a snake-husband, the third daughter who becomes a wife, and her elder sister. The snake-husband in the Chinese narrative is from the lower class, while one in the Korean narrative is a scholar of high status. Chinese snake-husband does not have a supernatural power, while Korean snake-husband possess a divine power. The snake-husband in both narratives plays a major role only at the beginning, and becomes a secondary character in the second half. The third daughter and wife-to-be in both narratives shows common characteristics, such as being the third among siblings, playing an opposing role to that of elder sisters, and evolving from unconsciousness to consciousness, from immaturity to maturity. However, the physical form of the heroine in Chinese and Korean narratives takes different shapes. The heroine of the Chinese narrative is a revenger, but she in the Korean narrative is a personal achiever. The role of the elder sisters is to oppose to the marriage between a human and a beast. However, the methods and purposes of the elder sisters' opposition are different in the narratives of China and Korea. The eldest sister in the Chinese narrative takes a preemptive measure to prevent the marriage by killing her younger sister. The sister in the Korean narrative makes her younger sister to break a taboo. The purpose of the Chinese elder sister is to get marriage and to destroy her younger sister. The Chinese sister is to prevent the marriage and to destroy her younger sister. The Chinese sister shows the desire and image of a mature woman, while the Korean sister presents the desire and image of an immature woman.
Finally, this paper discusses the major theme of two countries' narratives. They show the common theme of the reflection of women's self-consciousness. The self-consciousness in the narratives is mostly related to the sexual desire. The third daughter and her sisters of the narratives reveal the awareness of sexual desire and fulfill their desire with active engagement. However, the Chinese narrative emphasizes the achievement of a woman's love, with a story of a sister's opposition, competition, and struggle. The Koran narrative emphasizes awakening, growth, and self-achievement of the third daughter, with a story of her setback, overcoming of setback, and self-achievement. The heroine of the Korean narrative also shows her self-achievement. The heroine of the Korean narrative also shows her self-achievement as a wife. This element suggests that the Korean narrative may have been developed in a patriachal family system.
This thesis examines the types, motifs, major characters, and themes of the snake-husband narratives of China and Korea. Comparative studies of other aspects of these narratives are necessary, and will he pursued in subsequent studies in the future.