A KOREAN FOLKTALE, KONGJEE-PAT JEE: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPT OF BINARY OPPOSITION
ABSTRACT: This article
presents an analysis of a Korean folktale, Kongjee-Patjee. The theory used in
this paper to analyze the folktale is the concept of Binary Opposition. In
addition, Vladimir Propp’s approach toward folk tales is also used to analyze
the meaning of symbols and the roles of characters in the story, and the
position of this folk tale in Korean society. The differences and similarities
of the Kongjee-Patjee story from other folk tales are discussed. Attempts are
also made to analyze the meanings of the symbols in the story by analyzing the
animal characters and their roles within Korean society and examine these
animal symbols in understanding the culture of the Koreans. The contradiction
between the protagonist and the antagonist also attracts our attention to look
at the construction of the story and the messages in the story.
Author: Kim Jang Gyem
Journal Code: jpantropologigg110005
