Comparative Perspectives on the Depiction of Women in Ancient Vietnam and Korea’s Society: Focusing on the Analysis of Vietnam’s The Trial at the Dragon King’s Palace (in Truyen Ki Man Luc) and Korea’s The Tale of Lady Suro (in Samguk Yusa)

Abstract

This paper is written by the writer’s understanding and analysis of Vietnamese and Korean social history in an effort to explore folklore and spiritual factors, specifically via an attempt to illuminate the similarity and differentiation of each factor. In this light, the paper offers an initial glimpse into the patterns through which Korean and Vietnamese people realized and deciphered natural phenomena in ancient times via Vietnam’s The Trial at the Dragon King Place (in Truyen Ki Man Luc) and Korea’s The Tale of Lady Suro (in Samguk Yusa). Most importantly, by examining the peculiar aspects of the two stories, the author also manages to imply an observation of the existence and role of women in Korea and Vietnam’s society in the past.