This thesis focuses on the study of Thai myths by applying C laude L.vi-Strauss’s Structural Approach. The purpose of the study is to interpret the symbols embedded in the text and to analyze the important messages reflected from Thai myths. The researcher classifies Thai myths into 4 groups; 1) Myths that explain nature or natural phenomenon consists of creation myth, rice myth, solar and lunar eclipse myth, and rain myth. 2) Myths that explain origin of culture hero or ancient p lace consists of myth of culture hero, and myth of ancient places. 3) Myths that explain the incoming of Buddhism to Thai-Tai region consists of myth of the Buddha’s relics, myth of the Buddha’s footprint, and myth of the Buddha’s images. 4) Myths that explain tradition and ritual. The structural analysis demonstrates that the characters in Thai myths can be classified into 4 paradigms, namely, the characters in the paradigm of indigenous beliefs, of the peoples, of Buddhism, and of the mediators. The relationship between these characters, thus, reflects the denial and the acceptance of indigenous beliefs and Buddhism; and of the conflict and com promise between of various indigenous groups. The study reveals that the important messages reflected from the myths concern the conflict in the minds of Thai ancestors wondering whether they should respect the supernatural pow er or the Lord Buddha and the conflict concerning the relationship with the peoples of various ethnic groups. Moreover, by using structural approach to analyze Thai myths, it helps explain why Thai people changed from respecting indigenous beliefs to the adopting of Buddhism, and it can be used to explain the characteristics of Thai society which tends to be the society that compromises rather than prolongs the conflicts. This research thus exemplifies how myths can be used as data to study the cultural conflicts and as useful materials to explain certain characteristics of Thai society.
SUBJECT
นิทานปรัมปรา -- ไทย
ตำนาน -- ไทย
การวิเคราะห์เนื้อหา
Fairy tales -- Thailand
Legends -- Thailand
Content analysis (Communication)
ปริญญาดุษฎีบัณฑิต
LOCATION
CALL#
STATUS
Arts Library : Thesis
วพ. ภาษาไทย
CHECK SHELVES
Arts Library : Thesis
วพ. ภาษาไทย
LIB USE ONLY
Thailand and ASEAN Information Center (6th Floor) : Thesis