TTLA: Comparing Vietnamese and Indian fairy tales.

Author's name:Nguyen Thi Thu Trang

Thesis title:Compare Vietnamese and Indian fairy tales.

The field of study for this dissertation:Literature

Specialized:FolkloreCode: 62 22 01 25

Name of the postgraduate training institution:University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

1. Purpose and scope of the thesis

The research objective of this thesis is to conduct a comparative study of several types of Vietnamese and Indian fairy tales from the perspectives of structure, characters, and motifs, thereby identifying similarities and differences between the cultures of the two nations and international culture. At a higher level, the thesis aims to gain a clearer understanding of the nature and characteristics of Vietnamese and Indian fairy tales.

The subject of this thesis is the genre of Vietnamese and Indian fairy tales. Specifically, the thesis focuses on statistically analyzing and comparing stories belonging to the "Strong Man and His Companions" type and the "Kind Person and Wicked Person" type. Along with textual analysis, the thesis also aims to explore some forms of cultural activities, beliefs, and customs related to the plots and motifs in these story types.

2. Research methods used

This dissertation employs a comparative typological research method to survey and compare several types of stories in terms of structure, characters, and plot motifs; uses analytical and synthetic methods to analyze the content of the stories and the main motifs that constitute the plot; employs statistical and classification methods to statistically classify story types, variations, and typical motifs; and uses interdisciplinary research methods to explain the socio-historical origins of the plot motifs and clarify the national cultural values ​​hidden within them.

3. Main results and conclusions

3.1. Main results

- The thesis has compiled, systematized, and comparatively analyzed nearly 140 stories belonging to the "Healthy Boy" type and the "Kind-hearted and Wicked" type from Vietnam and India, focusing on the structure, characters, and basic motifs of each story type.

- Based on a comparative study of story types, narrative styles, and motifs, the thesis points out the similarities and differences in magical fairy tales and in the cultures of the two countries, while explaining the reasons for these similarities and differences.

3.2. Conclusion

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

- Through a comparative study of two similar types of magical fairy tales from Vietnam and India, the thesis has clarified the similarities and differences in terms of plot structure, character imagery, and basic motifs. Common motifs for the strong young man type include: the motif of unusual origins, the motif of exceptional talent and extraordinary strength, the motif of unusual companions, and the motif of victory and reward. Distinctive motifs in the Indian strong young man type, due to the multi-layered plot structure, include: the motif of a hidden soul, the motif of signs of life and death, and the motif of rebirth. Basic motifs for the group of stories about kind and evil characters include: the motif of miraculous assistance, the motif of good being rewarded, the motif of evil being punished, and the motif of failed imitation.

- The thesis explains the similarities stemming from typological characteristics and cultural exchange between Vietnam and India. It also explains the differences arising from geographical environments, climates, and socio-ecological conditions; differences in customs, traditions, religions, and beliefs; and the unique artistic creations of each nation.

- Comparative research on some similar types and motifs of Vietnamese and Indian fairy tales helps us better understand the two nations and their different cultures, contributing to the process of integration and development.

SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS

The author's name: Nguyen Thi Thu Trang

Thesis title: Compare Indian and Vietnamese fairy tales

Scientific branch of the thesisLiterature

Wall: 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

ButThe 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 talent-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.