한국의 전래동화 속에 나타난 '노인'의 특성 분석

Analysis on Characteristic of The Olds in Korean Fairy Tales

본 연구는 한국의 전래동화 속에 나타난 노인의 특성을 알아보기 위해 설계되었다. 유아들에게 주로 소개되고 있는 한국의 전래동화 50여 편 중 노인이 등장인물로 나타나는 작품 30 여 편을 분석 자료로 선정하였다. 분석의 기준에는 노인의 이미지(성격, 외모), 등장인물로서의 비중, 노인의 신분이나 종사업종, 가족관계, 경제적인 생활수준, 성역할 등이 포함되었다. 우리나라의 전래동화속의 노인에 대한 특성은 부정적인 시각으로 표현되고 있었다. 즉 외롭고 소외되고, 의존적이며 가난하며 성 상투화되어 묘사되어 있다.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristic of the olds in Korean fairy tales. 30 fairy tales out of 50 were selected to be analysed for the study. 6 categories such as the olds` image, number of appearance, job & social position, family relationship, economic status, gender were adopted for analyzing the characteristic of the old. In contrast to the number of the study on analysis on the characteristic of the olds in modern children`s literature, the one of study on the same theme in the korean fairy tales is very rare. Preceding study showed that the image of the old was negatively underestimated, which represented same as the results of this study. The findings of the study were as follows: 1. The image of the old were described as a negative one. Personality, physical appearance of the old were represented as a comic and ugly one. 2. The frequency of the appearance of the old in korean fairy tales was low. The old was not depicted as a heroine or hero but supporting character. 3. The job position, social status of the old were various such as agriculture, fishing, forestry, blacksmith, shoemaker, laborer, and inn owner. Some of the old were showed as playing a role of yangban(nobleman). 4. The family relationship of the old was depicted as living alone without children and offspring. Some of the old were represented as living without spouse. 5. The economic status of the old was poor at large, though some of them were rich but avarice. 6. The sex role of the old was stereotyped such as patricentric one. The old male was working outdoor differently from the old female staying and working at home. Positive image of the old in modern children`s literature should be introduced to the children to be faced with living positively for the future aging society.