A comparative study of Indonesian fairy tales structure

Abstract

This study attempts an analysis of the similarities and differences of an intrinsic structure, the patterns of intrinsic structure, and their influence on the fairy tales. The research samples consisted of 12 fairy tales. The study finds that the plots consist of: A male character, who wandering in a jungle, accidentally comes across a lake where fairies are bathing. He steals a fairy's shawl and forces her to marry him. The fairy finds her shawl that is stolen and she finally goes back to heaven. The following tales are built on such structure: Arya Menak (East Java), Jaka Tarub (Central Java), Telaga Bidadari (South Kalimantan), Raja Omas dan Bidadari (Simalungun), Oheo (Southeast Sulawesi), Lahilote (Gorontalo), Datu Pulut (South Kalimantan), Bulalo lo Limbutu (Gorontalo), Mahligai Keloyang (Riau), Putri Mambang Linau (Riau), Tumatenden (Minahasa, North Sulawesi), Rajapala (Bali). The similarity among some fairy tales seems to have occurred because of the mutual correlation among them and the context of dissemination.