『쿤창쿤팬』에 나타난 꿈 모티프의 해몽 양상과 태국인의 민간신앙

Abstract

From ancient times, Thai people have believed that dreams foreshadow the destiny and fortune of people and these beliefs about dreams have been accepted in literature. The purpose of this study is to examine the function of dreams as a literary device and the Thai folk beliefs through dream motifs and dream interpretation in KhunChang KhunPhaen which is one of the most well-known classical Thai literary works. A variety of dream motifs that is found throughout KhunChang KhunPhaen performs its function as episodic elements in the structure of narrative and also shows beliefs related to dreams well at the same time. Most of dream motifs in KhunChang KhunPhaen are symbolic motifs which are needed to interpret the meaning of dream symbols and give some sign of foreshadowing about the characters’ fortune or events to happen in the near future. In addition, dream motifs and dream interpretation in KhunChang KhunPhaen shows the Thai folk beliefs which have been believed through symbolic representation of dreams by Thai people, such as beliefs about conception dreams, teeth falling out dreams. When literature is a reflection of the times and is the mirror of the inner world of people, dream motifs in KhunChang KhunPhaen functions to inform the direction of a narrative structure and shows that Thai people in the traditional society have believed sanctity of dreams, dreams’ function of foresight and revelation of dreams firmly as well.