구비설화 속 ‘여성표상 동물’ 이야기에 나타나는 속신(俗信)의 양상과 기능

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the form and function of the vulgar faith embedded in these stories of foxes, cats, and bears among animals representing Female in Korean oral folktale. In foxes' case, the Vulgar faith is mostly related to their attributes, abilities, relationships, transformation, and taboos. In the case of cats, the relative perception of Gyunmyozigan(relationship between dogs and cats) as well as the story of a vulgar faith of cat retaliation dominate. For the bears, most stories are about have sexual intercourse between person and animal. Looking at the function and meaning of Vulgar Faith in the story of "Female Symbolizing Animals," we can first see "the destructive ending induced by Feminine Envy Vulgar Faith." The story of the " Fox sister" is an example in which femininity, which is represented as the fox sister that emerged from a masculine overstatement, is not welcomed in a patriarchal society, and its negative aspect is strengthened and defined as evil, leading to the downfall of the family and the destruction of the village community. As evil is disciplined, however, the femininity envy vulgar faith put into the story contributes to the victory of the patriarchal, hierarchical order centered on masculinity and the vigilance against the expression of femininity. Next is the 'injection of negative femininity manifesting Vulgar faith and the spread of fear.' These include ‘Fox beads,’ ‘Funeral and cats (fox),’ and ‘Maternal Child Killing.’ In "Fox Beads," Femme Fatale's deadly sexual attraction is creating fear, in "Funeral and Cats," the cat's epic spirituality that also raises the body, and in "Material Child Killing," the fierce revenge of a Female who revealed the temper of an animal is creating fear. The vulgar faiths put in here work closely in leading the story, amplifying and sustaining fear. Last is ‘the expression of maternal and desire that is affirmed by longevity birth vulgar-faith.’ The Longevity Birth Vulgar Faith put into the bear story makes the femininity perceived negatively in the oral folktale affirmative under the name of “maternal as a being with divine powers” that gives wisdom and ability. This positivity can be seen as an expression of the private sector's desire to fulfill the wishes that can never be achieved in the real world, even through an abnormal method called Bestiality.