TTLA: Comparing Vietnamese and Indian fairy tales.

Author name:Nguyen Thi Thu Trang

Thesis title:Compare Vietnamese and Indian fairy tales.

Dissertation field:Literature

Specialized:FolkloreCode: 62 22 01 25

Name of Postgraduate training unit:University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

1. Purpose and research objects of the thesis

The purpose of the thesis is to study and compare some types of magical fairy tales of Vietnam and India in terms of structure, characters and motifs, on that basis to find out the similarities and differences between the cultures of the two nations and international culture. At a higher level, the thesis aims to better understand the nature and characteristics of Vietnamese and Indian fairy tales.

The research object of the thesis is the genre of magical fairy tales of Vietnam and India. In particular, the thesis focuses on statistics and comparative surveys of stories belonging to the type of stories The Strong Man and His Companions and the type of stories about Good People and Bad People. Along with the study of textual studies, the thesis also aims to study some forms of cultural activities, beliefs, and customs in life related to the details and motifs in the story types.

2. Research methods used

The thesis uses the comparative typology research method to examine and compare some types of stories in terms of structure, characters and story motifs; uses the analysis and synthesis method to analyze the content of the stories and the main motifs that make up the plot; uses the statistical and classification method to statistically and classify story types, story variants, and typical motifs; The interdisciplinary research method is used to explain the historical and social origins of story motifs and to clarify the national cultural values ​​hidden in them.

3. Main results and conclusions

3.1. Main results

- The thesis has collected, systematized and analyzed and compared nearly 140 stories of the Strong Boy type and the Good and Bad People type of stories of Vietnam and India in terms of structure, characters and basic motifs of the story types.

- Based on the comparative study of story types, story types and story motifs, the thesis has pointed out the similarities and differences in magical fairy tales and in the cultures of the two countries and at the same time explained the reasons for those similarities and differences.

3.2. Conclusion

- The thesis has approached Vietnamese and Indian story texts from the perspective of literature and folklore by the method of comparative research of types, reading fairy tales by type, motif and generalizing cultural and literary values ​​through the study of story types and story motifs.

- Through a comparative study of two similar groups of magical fairy tales of Vietnam and India, the thesis has clarified the similarities and differences in terms of plot structure, character images and basic motifs. The common similar motifs for the strong man story type are: the motif of strange origin, the motif of outstanding talent - extraordinary health, the motif of unusual companions, the motif of feats and rewards. The unusual motifs in the strong man story type of India due to the multi-layered structure of the plot are: the motif of hidden soul, the motif of signs of life and death, the motif of reincarnation. The basic motifs of the group of stories about good-natured characters and bad-natured people are: the motif of miraculous help, the motif of good being rewarded, the motif of evil being punished, the motif of failed imitation.

- The thesis has explained the similarities due to the characteristics of the type; due to the cultural exchange and contact between Vietnam and India. The thesis has explained the differences due to the differences in geographical environment, climate, human ecological conditions; due to the differences in customs, religions and beliefs and due to the unique artistic creativity of each nation.

- Comparative research on some similar types of stories and motifs of magical fairy tales of Vietnam and India is to help us better understand the two different peoples and cultures, contributing to the integration and development process.

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS

The author's name: Nguyen Thi Thu Trang

Thesis title: Compare Indian and Vietnamese fairy tales

Scientific branch of the thesis: Literature

Major: Folk Literature Code: 62 22 01 25

The name of postgraduate training institution: University of Social Sciences and Humanities – VNU-Hanoi.

1. Thesis purpose and objectives

Purpose of the study is to do research and compare several types of Vietnamese magical fairytales and those of India in terms of construction, characters, and motifs so as to figure out the similarities and the differences between the 2 countries' cultures and international culture. At a higher level of consciousness, the study aims to improve general knowledge about the natures and characters of Vietnamese and Indian fairytales.

Object of the study is Vietnamese and Indian magical fairytales. Among those magical fairytales, the study concentrates on listing and doing research on stories belonging to Strong Man type and Kind and unkind Men type. Along with studying literature written papers, the study also has an insight into some cultural everyday routines, religion, customs which are related to some events and motifs in the stories.

2. Research methods

The study uses the method of type comparison to do research and compare some types of fairytales in terms of contruction, characters, and story motif; the method of analyzing and collecting information to analyze the contents of the stories and the main motifs of the story plots; the method of listing and classifying story types, variant versions of the stories, and the typical motifs; the method of using interdisciplinary research to clarify social and historical causes of the story motifs and the national cultural values.

3. Major results and conclusions

3.1. The major results

-The study has collected, systemized, analized, and compared approximately 140 Vietnamese and Indian stories belonging to Strong Man type and Kind and Unkind Men type in terms of construction, characters, and motifs.

- According to the comparison, the study has figured out the similarities and the differences between the 2 countries' magical fairy tales as well as between the 2 countries' cultures and give the reasons for those similarities and differences simultaneously.

3.2. Conclusions

- The study has related to Vietnamese and Indian fairy tales in terms of literature and folklore by doing research and comparing story types, motifs and generalizing the culture and literature values.

- By doing research and comparing 2 similar types of Vietnamese and Indian fairy tales, the study has clarified the similarities and differences in terms of construction of plots, character images, and the main motifs. The common similar motifs for Strong Man type are:strange origin, super tatent-super strength, wierd companions, victory and award. Some strange motifs in Indian Strong Man type due to multi-layer plot are:hidden soul, dead and alive signs, reincarnation sign.Some main motifs of Kind and Unkind Man type are:Magical help, the good is awarded, the bad is punished, failed imitation.

- The study has explained the similarities due to characters of types; the cultural interruption and contact between Vietnam and India. The study explains the differences due to geographical environment, climate, human ecological condition, different customs, religion, beliefs, and the unique artistic creations of each country.

- Doing research and comparing some Vietnamese and India magical fairy tale types and motifs is to help us thoroughly understand the 2 countries and 2 different cultures so as to contribute to the integration and development progress.