A Study on Metamorphosis in Cheng Ching-Wen’s Fairy Tales

• Main Authors: Pei-ying Lian, 連珮瑩
• Other Authors: none
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/60191503274202829790

碩士 === 國立中正大學 === 台灣文學所 === 98 === The term “metamorphosis” in mythology indicates regeneration, immortality and resurrection. Themes of metamorphosis derive from everyday life, mainly used to explain everything on the earth, the origins of life, and revival cycle. In fairy tales, metamorphorsis is used in two ways: first, keeping the idea of metamorphosis and the way it transforms in mythology; second, developing new concepts of transformation out of the mythology context. As civlization develops, the time people believe in the myths of Flood pass by, and instead, they believe man will triumph over nature. Moreover, people are more interested in their relationships with other people and society rather than the idea of “Things and man united one.” Therefore, metamorphosis in fairy tales is no longer used in the way it used to be in mythology. It grows new concepts, such as emphasizing the significance of education and growth. Cheng Ching-Wen’s previous works, Swallow’s heart, Heavenly Lantern, Mother and Picking Peaches convey positive messages, which are essential elements in fairy tales. Some messages of the three works derived from myths, like “Things and man united one,” which is presented in Heavenly Lantern, Mother, when the main character, A-Wang, lives harmoniously with nature. Others are the oppositive, such as Snake ancestress’s anti-immortality in Picking Peaches. His latest work, Ciou-Yi Family, published in June, 2009, is different from the last three fairy tales. It’s cross-genre, and satirizes metamorphosis ideas used in mythology. What’s more, the last three fairy tales depict Taiwan endemic species, integrated with the author’s personal life experience; nevertheless, Ciou-Yi Family is set in strange deserts in Taiwan as an irony to the future desert of Taiwan’s culture. Obviously, in Cheng Ching-Wen’s works, he uses metamorphosis technique and rich imagination to create fairy tales and to expose the reality of Taiwan’s society.