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This thesis aims to study the folk elements and to analyze their parts in constructing Pongsakorn’s eight selected novels which are Beung Ban, Soi Sang Chan, Rudoo Daow, Wang Paya Prai, Kularp Rattikarn, Gaja Pura, Nakorn Aiyara, and Kehat Nang Koi. The research result shows that Pongsakorn not only uses varied folk narratives, folk beliefs and customs but also includes literary texts, historical and many miscellaneous categories to construct his novels. The folk elements in the novels are mostly inspired by the existing sorts combining with the author’s imagination. Folklore in Pongsakorn’s novels is presented as an ‘inserted narratives’ displaying three messages involving the punishments from people’s wrong doings, explanations of the origins of people and places, and suggestions to live in harmony with nature. Folk elements are the main components in constructing plots, characters, and settings of Pongsakorn’s novels. In terms of plot, the novels are narrated through journeys of the main characters to fulfill their curiosity. The conflicts resulting from punishments in folk narratives inserted in the novels play important parts in constructing the main plots of the novels. In addition, the journeys divide characters into two groups: the ‘outer’ and the ‘inner’ characters. These two groups are categorized according to their interactions with places. All main characters are the ‘outer’ ones who reincarnated from the characters in folk narratives inserted in the novels. As for the ‘inner’ ones, Pongsakorn uses folk narratives, beliefs and customs to construct the supernatural characters in leading the main characters to discover their answers. To oblige credibility, Pongsakorn creates settings in faraway places and every place has its own folk narratives behind it. These settings also represent the places of discovery for the main characters as well as the space where the characters in the present time meet with the characters and events from the folk narratives. Besides, the result of this research significantly demonstrates the mythic structure of the hero’s journey through the structure of the novels. The folk elements used in these novels also represent three main themes. Firstly, they represent Buddhist concepts concerning kilesa as a source of sufferings and the consequences of kamma. To present these concepts, Pongsakorn uses folk elements as symbols of kilesa via characters and settings. He also highlights the ‘punishment’ in folk narratives and the ways it is changed to ‘forgiveness’. Secondly, the novels underline the values of folk culture by portraying many ethnic groups in Thailand with positive images and illustrate the function of folklore in maintaining the culture of these ethnic groups. Pongsakorn also views folklore as local wisdoms that can help solve the problems while science and modern knowledge could not. Finally, Pongsakorn’s novels not only reflect problems in the contemporary period but also propose solutions to those problems. The novels illustrate the environmental crisis and give suggestions to the reader to live harmoniously with nature according to the folklores’ morals. At the same time, the novels also imply that Thai society has been changed by the globalization resulting in a so-called ‘identity crisis’ among Thai people. By emphasizing the values of folklore and its significance in asserting the wisdom and the root of community, Pongsakorn’s novels serve the needs for ‘nostalgic sentiments’ of those who live in the globalized time. |
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