• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.258-266
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• 2021

This study analyzes two fairy tales of similar plots in which stepmothers appear, "Kongji and Patji" and "Cinderella". The purpose was to investigate the role of a stepmother in a fairy tale and to examine the differences between the stepmothers in the two fairy tales mentioned above. Stepmothers in "Kongji and Patji" and "Cinderella" show similar tendencies but there were differences in the content of the tasks, as well as the evil actions of the stepmother after marriage. However, stepmothers who commit these cruel evil deeds were necessary for several reasons. First of all, children who cannot cope with psychological conflicts themselves can cope with contradictory emotions by projecting the guilt and psychological conflicts onto their stepmother and exposing themselves to their anger. Besides, they can understand the diversity of life and learn how to overcome pain, sorrow, and hardship. A fairy tale in which a stepmother plays a role is of educational significance in that it teaches lessons to children by showing that in the end, the wicked are punished and good people live a happy life. This helps the child to have a positive self-identity.