KJCKorea
Journal Central

Self-realization is a very essential task for every human being that has existed throughout time and space. This study analyzes the differences in subtext that have been presented in a traditional fairy tale and a contemporary fairy tale that is re-creatively written using the plot elements of the former. This analysis allows us to examine the process of self-realization via mind exploration and to establish a model example to which literature should aspire. This study compares two fairy tales：“Stolen face”, a traditional fairy tale that deals with human identity, and “Suil and Suil”, a contemporary fairy tale, which is written re-creatively using plot elements from the former. In result, various differences between these two fairy tales are revealed through assessment of their subtext. First, based on the theory of need hierarchy, the main character’s need hierarchy is vertical in “Stolen face” while it is horizontal in “Suil and Suil.” Second, through the use of analytic psychology perspectives, “Stolen face” is at the level of “shadow” that is created in spite of oneself, whereas “Suil and Suil” is at the level of “persona” that is created intentionally. Why do these differences occur? The social environment in which traditional fairy tales were composed focused heavily on lower order needs, such as survival. Therefore, it was a shadow-level society in which the structure of inner world was the most meaningful. On the other hand, we live in a modern society that emphasizes the need to belong and to be loved, that is, a persona-level society in which communication with the outside world is more important. In conclusion, the diverse processes by which protagonists develop a sense of self-realization can be observed by assessing subtext of fairy tales. Moreover, a model example to which literature should aspire is established. This model involves the thorough reflection of the writer’s view on their present age, while adopting a traditional descriptive function outwardly. This enables us to obtain both the universality that transcends time and the particularity that is meaningful to the age.

Shadow, Suil and Suil, Self-growth, Self-realization, Re-creative writing, Persona