The Antagonist in Trickster Tales of Trang Quynh
Soratee Jaisa-ard
soratee@hotmail.com
Khon kaen University, Thailand
Abstract

This article explores the antagonists from the tales of Trang Quynh, which are well-known trickster tales throughout Vietnam. The main antagonists in Trang Quynh?s series comprise those in the royal court, even the king himself, mandarins, rich landlords and even the mother Goddess at the village shrine. The tales of Trang Quynh can be interpreted as the farmers? way of alleviating their hardship, as an expression of their antagonism towards the ruling class and restrictive social rules. Meanwhile, Trang Quynh, the protagonist in the story, is regarded as the hero or the representative of the people. As a result, the study of Trang Quynh?s antagonists will enhance our understanding of the social context, village culture and the conflict between social groups from the previous time in Vietnamese society.

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