The Principle of ‘Harmony’ in the ‘Separation-Reunion’ Structure of Folk Tales: A Comparison between The Woodcutter and the Fairy and Snake Bridegroom

In this article The Woodcutter and the Fairy (나무꾼과 선녀) and Snake Bridegroom (구렁덩덩 신선비) are compared to explore the principles of conflict and harmony reflected in the ‘separation-reunion’ structure. These two works center on relationships; couples formed by the union of a divine being and an ordinary being. The woodcutter and his third daughter are the representatives of ordinary beings, while the fair maiden and the fresh rain are the representatives of divine beings, and the narrative emphasizes that the members of each couple are existentially different. This article focuses on the problems that arise due to existential differences in such relationships. Thus, in section 2, the narratives of The Woodcutter and the Fairy and Snake Bridegroom are shown to be based on the same structure. If the narrative of both works is analyzed centered on the relationship problem of couples, the sequence can be summarized as ‘(appearance and search) - encounter - connection - separation - reunion - test – passage.’ And in this structure, the core of the narrative is especially contained in the ‘separation-reunion’ stage. The structure of a spouse leaving (separation) and a spouse returning (reunion) implies a reflection on the points that cause discord in a couple’s relationship and the points that make unity possible. Accordingly, this article explores the narrative differences in the failure and success of reconciliation by examining how the ‘leaver’ and ‘left-behind’ spouses respond to this issue. In other words, it examines the factors that drive the process of relationship-change in the narratives of the two works, and attempts to capture the principles of reconciliation by capturing the causes of discord and the forces that bring about reconciliation. Through this, it can be found that The Woodcutter and the Fairy and Snake Bridegroom are works that convey the realization that a couple can continue their relationship by understanding and caring for the wishes of the world or the wishes of the other person. In other words, the two works tell readers that it is difficult to reach harmony through the will to continue the relationship, and that listening to the wishes of the world or one’s spouse opens the way to true harmony.