Dualism Of The Characters In Russian Folktale

As the achievements of civilization created by social groups and the literary representation of folk culture,folktales mark the social identity of a social group and convey the cultural messages of this group.Typical characters in Russian folktale are represented by Ivan the Fool,Vasilisa and Baba Yaga.From three dimensions of identity,character and position,these characters all reflect the dualism as the core traits,which be based on the origin of the nation’s ideology and traditions of nation’s culture.The preface introduces the current studies of Russian folktale in literary circles at home and abroad,and defines the terms of Russian folktale and Dualism.It also interprets the method of morphological analysis,the method of parallel research,the narrative theory and the social historical criticism theory used in the thesis,as well as the innovation and significance of researching in this thesis.The first chapter interprets the image of Ivan the Fool with the other fools.Ivan the Fool has the characteristics of tenacity and morality,and he demands equal personality.Together with other civilian fools,funny fools and cunning fools,he sends out the needs and voices of the civilians from the bottom of society.The image of Ivan the Fool with other fools embodies the dual oppositions and dynamic transforming identities:with the development of the storyline,the fools change from the recipients to the helpers,and attitudes from the people also change from contempt to awe.The image of Ivan the Fool calls for the voice of freedom and equality under the concept of this life,as well as reflects the tradition of Foolishness for Christ under the beliefs of the afterlife,further pointing to the needs for social equality and civilian heroes.The second chapter researches into the image of Vasillisa and the other ideal females.The main characteristics of maternity,wisdom,harmony,and humility which Vasillisa and the other ideal women have are in line with the feminine worship tradition of Russian national mind.Vasillisa and the other ideal females are both Madonna and the folk women,making the ideal unity of maternity and wisdom.On this basis,women’s maternal function of redemption and spiritual function of guidance have reflected the meaning of symbol and connection.The image of the ideal women represented by Vasillisa reflects the worship of Madonna in the world under the concept of this life,as well as reflects the worship of Saint Sophia under the beliefs of the afterlife,further pointing to calls for humanitarian and salvation from the goddess.The third chapter explores the image of Baba Yaga and the other evil spirits.Different from traditional witches in the West,Baba Yaga and the other evil spirits embody the dual positions:on the one hand,Baba Yaga is the goddess of nature,the helper and giver of the hero;on the other hand,Baba Yaga is also a savage devil whose brutality is circulated among the folk.As a devil,the witch form a complementary and mutual relationship with Koshehey the Deathless.The image of Baba Yaga calls for self-protection and national unity under the concept of this life,as well as reflects the desires for transition of the soul under the beliefs of the afterlife,further pointing to the worship of the evil spirits and the desires for eternal life from the folk.The fourth chapter studies the three constructing dimensions of dualism of the three types of images who are represented by the three characters in Russian folktale,and deeply explores the causes of dualism of the three types of images,and further explores the concepts of this life,the beliefs of afterlife,as well as performs the rite of passage which is the practical form of the Russian folk belief.The conclusion summarizes the duslism,non-individuation and non-rationality of the characters in Russian folktale.The characters not only reflect the pedigree of worldwide folklore,but also reflect the distinctive elements of the Russian national mind and national consciousness.