외쪽이 설화의 심리학적 원형(元型) 연구

A Study of the Psychological Archetype of the Half-Tale

The universal archetypes that constitute a people's collective unconscious are genetically endowed alongside instinct. These powerful psychological elements are termed ‘archetypes’. The purpose of this paper is to explore the archetypes latent in folktales about the ‘left side’ and to analyze the archetypes formed within the collective unconscious of a people. Furthermore, it presents regional variations of the Oejjogi tales and analyzes the universality of Oejjogi, transcending region and era, from a psychological perspective. The archetypes within folktales are elements capable of being transmitted orally across generations. Tales about Oejjogi are transmitted in diverse forms depending on region, era, and storyteller. However, their core elements and structure are similar as follows: ① The birth process of the one-armed man, linked to his mother's starvation. ② The process by which the one-armed man overcomes adversity, such as capturing a tiger through superhuman strength, and obtains the tiger's skin. ③ The process by which the one-armed man wins the hand of a maiden from a noble family through a contest of wits. The one-armed man is a repulsive and alienating being, born with only one arm, one leg, one eye, and one ear. The tale of him transforming into a handsome man through superhuman abilities to marry a beautiful wife is absurd and astonishing. Yet this folktale endures because it appeals to an unconscious psychological archetype. Oejjigi's deficiencies and complexes become the driving force of his successful life. His courage to resist succumbing to physical disability and social discrimination, coupled with his will to realize his potential, ultimately leads him to a successful life. Ultimately, he achieves self-realization. A key feature of this paper is its examination of how the Oejjogi folktale, through the character of Oejjogi who lives a superhuman life despite being born with a physical disability, was intended to encourage children trapped by complexes, help them overcome those complexes, and educate them to unleash their latent abilities.