Comparative Study Of Chinese, Korean,Japanese Stepmothers' Stories

Stepmother story, which is a common type of stories, is one kind of family stories. These stories not only express abuse of stepmothers to non-biological children or injustice of stepmothers to non-biological children at the same time showing preference to their own children, but also criticize image of stepmothers strictly. Most of oral tales show heart-stricken sympathy to step children, as well as indicate folk moral standard. That is wicked stepmothers will fail, however, humiliated stepchildren win eventually. What is more, these tales are full of common social meaning. Compared with oral stepmothers stories among China, Korea and Japan, the objective of this thesis is to investigate common places and regional differences in the same cultural circle, enrich the study of stepmothers stories systematically and deeply so as to help and expand comparative study of northeastern countries.First of all, by analyzing each form and inheritance of stepmothers stories in China, Korea and Japan, then discussing them with practical settings respectively, the thesis makes comparison of difference between similarly structure elements of which narrative elements are made of. Besides, during the analysis among Chinese, Korean and Japanese stepmothers stories, this thesis also contrasts similar stories between oriental and western countries, as well as investigates forming relationships among those three countries. According to internationality, one of basic image of oral tales, it analyses common types of stepmothers stories of China, Korea and Japan and potentially existing types of stepmothers stories in other nations. With the study of forming relationship of stepmothers stories, it can be explained reasonably how these stories are inherited in China, Korea and Japan. Finally these folk stories in those three countries are irreplaceable in Northeast Asia.Secondly, the thesis collects and classifies stepmothers stories of China, Korea and Japan specifically. By analyzing narrative elements of common types of stepmothers stories in China, Korea and Japan one by one, corresponding relationship, of which type of stepmothers stories in three countries is clarified, and similarities and differences of common types are evaluated. Thus, it illustrates reasons of making stories synthetically as well as results in specifically cultural homogeneity and non-homogeneity.Thirdly, by collecting and clarifying stepmothers stories as well as making an comparative analysis commonly narrative elements in China, Korea and Japan, the thesis compares between twenty one types of Chinese established stepmothers stories and ten respective types of Korean and Japanese's stories, and studies their similarities and differences. What is more, according to different subtype settings, it also makes a comparison about those ten types of stepmothers stories.1. comparison about harmful and abandoned stepmothers stories2. comparison about maltreating and immortal help stepmothers stories3. comparison about imitative stepmothers stories4. comparison about multi-type stepmothers stories Finally, the thesis illustrates the comparative meaning of Chinese, Korean and Japanese stepmothers stories. It is indicated that there is corresponding relationship between Chinese stepmothers stories and Korean and Japanese's, with classifying of whose stepmothers stories. Compared with oriental and western stories, it refers that most of stories in the same type of Korea and Japan are similar to China. Besides, they own internationalities. Thus, it highly promotes cultural connotation, which is created by stepmothers stories of China, Korea and Japan, and the definition of culturology. In addition, compared with the types of Western European stepmothers stories, it is more obvious that Korea and Japan share similarities of stepmothers stories with China. Because of it and clearly national distinct, the circle of stepmothers stories in northeast Asia is formed. In conclusion, it is summarized that lots of abundant materials in surrounding countries can be found as long as the basis has the same type. Meanwhile, it is certificated that stepmothers stories is of vital importance in northeast Asian folk stories.