Study of Narrative Strategy in the Fairy Tales of Gang So-cheonThe purpose of this study was to analyze the narrative strategy of So-cheon Gang’s short fairy tales. Previous studies of Gang’s fairy tales have been related only to the perspectives of other studies. This study, however, considers the texts of Gang’s fairy tales as a tool in the communication process to focus on the narrative strategy that forms the discourse.
Most of Gang’s fairy tales approach from dialogic narrative to direct communication with readers. This comes from the writer’s desire to impart the ideologies of the author directly to children.
The most catching narrative strategy of Gang’s short fairy tales is the creation of an allegorical world using non-human figures as main characters. The allegorical world indirectly teaches children how to behave. Gang’s fairy tales show us how the allegorical style can be absorbed into the narrative strategy of fairy tales.
In addition, dream sequences are used as a narrative strategy that can bring about children’s wishes and can teach lessons. Wishes, purity, and learning through the world of dreams are the positive power of Gang’s fairy tales.
Another narrative strategy found in Gang’s fairy tales is the delivery of enlightening lessons through timed discourse endings. Such endings help children realize their truthfulness and criticize the bad behavior of adults. This strategy has positive effects on the ethical aspect of Korean society based on historical and social contexts.
Gang’s fairy tales are limited, however, in that the stories cannot reflect children’s life and reality and are solely intended to bring children into the world of the author.