<나무꾼과 선녀>에 나타난 조력자 사슴과 쥐의 역할과 그 기능 고찰

Abstract

In general animals" assistant role was interpreted as a midge In connect between tbe Woodcutter and the Fairy in folktale version which the Woodcutter ascends to the world of heaven. However, there is another version which was spread more widely in Korea: that the Woodcutter ascends In the world of heaven and suffers hardship. 111 that version, these animals" assistance take a very important role In complete the relationship between the Woodcutter and the Fairy. Despite of the fact that there was not much study on this issue, study on this folktale was more focused on deer rather than mouse. Indeed the role of Woodcutter is to feed a mouse everyday and protect deer from the hunters, From this point of view, the Woodcutter is deserved to be repaid, At the same tim" deer and mouse help to end this tale happy-ended. This is very usual structure, However, the Woodcutter has humble ability and he obtain his happiness totally rely on these animals" assistance. This is the main difference. The role of the mouse should be emphasized in the narrative structure. Deer could help the Woodcutter on tbe ground, but in the world of heaven only mouse is able to help the Woodcutter. He is not qualified to live in the world of heaven. In other word, the husband of the Fairy is not capable to live in where she lives. "The Fairy is the one who is devoted for him; however, she is not capable to cover every responsibility for him neither. In particular, she cannot steal eat"s coffin, take out arrowhead from eat"s pillow, etc. This kind of emergency mouse came through for him at crucial moments. It is significant because problems that mouse resolve authorize the Woodcutter to live in the world of heaven. In this context the mouse should be considered as a main character in the tale. However, the role of mouse was attracted by only a few people. From this point of view, it is necessary to review each animals" symbol and narrative structure. This paper "oil be focus on the mouse and its function. For the future study, the role of the fair and other animals should be studied. In addition, it would be worthy to explore that how general public imbues these characters with significant meaning. Over the process, the study on the folk tale of The Woodcutter and the Fairy would be more developed soundly.