A comparative study of motifs in trickery folktales: Pohneh-Mohneh

Abstract

The present study aims to (1) compare the motifs in the two folktales: Pohneh-Mohneh (Melayu) and Sri Thanonchai (Thai) composed by Prayoon Pisnaka in aspect of common and different characteristics; and (2) analyze and compare their protagonist tricksters based on Stith Thompson’s folklore motif index. The findings are presented in analytical descriptions.
The findings present 4 common motifs: (1) literal interpretations, (2) rewards and punishments, (3) deceptions, and (4) unnatural cruelty. The protagonist tricksters are analytically compared in three dimensions covering (1) status and ways of life, (2) key events, and (3) behaviors. Pokne and Sri Thanonchai are distinctively different. Pokne, living in a farming society, is just a poor, foolish, lazy, and selfish old man who always behave as a liar and deceiver causing conflicts with his wife and his neighbors on everyday life matters. Sri Thanonchai is a handsome and cunning monarchist nobleman who can solve problems ingeniously by his amazing wits, specifically for his own benefits without concerns for others. As a malice, he always confronts the king who, in many cases, loses his face through Sri Thanonchai’s tricky and defying negotiations. With distinctive differences in motifs and main characters, Pokne-Mokne the folktale is not “Sri Thanonchai in the Melayu version” as widely perceived.