Princess Pari In The Abandoned Princess

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"The Abandoned Princess" is unique from our previous works as it is created and spread by the shamans, whom were regarded as outcasts in Joseon Korea, belonging to the lowest class, cheonmin. As most non-elite were illiterate, especially women, this story was transmitted orally. There is special interest with stories such as these, as the voices of the lower class are able to be represented through such narratives–as the lower classes would be mostly unable to write, typical written texts would rarely depict the view of the lower classes. As such, we can look to the "The Abandoned Princess" to understand how the non-elite of Joseon saw the established social structure. I argue that this shamanist narrative song portrays the lower class as dissatisfied …show more content…
Throughout the novel, Princess Pari is characterized as unquestionably righteous and despite being "untaught, she is versed in the science of the heavens and the earth \ As well as all the secret military arts,"1 implying she is inherently educated and possess valuable qualities. When asked to save the king and queen after her six older sisters refuse to, she explicitly states that she has no reason to do so, but will do so for the mother that cast her out as an infant. She continues to act in a manner that is not required of her, marrying the Peerless Transcendent and bearing seven sons. Her actions however, contrast with the events that befell her. She was abandoned as a child, not because of her wrongdoings, but because of her gender. Before being cast away by the sea, "black ants [filled] her ears, \ Golden ants her mouth, \ Small ants her eyes;"2 even before she crosses the border of life and death as an adult, she is treated as dead already as an infant. When Śākyamuni discovers Princess Pari, despite declaring that such person "making the crows and magpies cry so long" must be "favored by heaven,"3 he quickly determines that she is useless to him, again, not due to her improper actions, but her gender. Thus he instead leaves her with an old couple. Despite the misfortunes that she was subject …show more content…
Repetition serves an additional purpose in "The Abandoned Princess": it provides a rhythmic pattern, helpful for oral narratives. With the birth of each princess, the king goes through the cycle of disappointment at the lack of an heir, emphasizing the troubles that the king suffers due to his refusal to listen to the shamans. When Princess Pari is asked to travel and find the medicine that cures the king and queen, it is preceded by the refusals of both the government officials and the sisters, with the refusal of each sister being individually stated. This again serves
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