IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature
Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025): IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Lite

Anthropomorphism and the Construction of Identity in Beast-themed Folk Tales: A Study of Lutung Kasarung, Beauty and the Beast, and The Frog Princess

Prawesti, Sekar Ayuning (Unknown)
Farida, Hana (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Dec 2025

Abstract

This study discusses how anthropomorphism is used in constructing themes of identity, disguise, and transformation through three folk tales: Lutung Kasarung (Indonesia), Beauty and the Beast (France), and The Frog Princess (Russia). All three feature beasts or non-human characters who have human-like traits, behaviours, and the ability to think and speak. Through a qualitative approach with narrative analysis and Stewart Guthrie's (1993) theory of anthropomorphism, this article shows that non-human forms are used as a form of disguise for true identity, as well as a means of conveying inner conflict and moral values. The findings show that the three folk tales analysed in this study have narrative patterns similar to cross-cultural patterns. This pattern consists of a curse, which is the cause of identity change; disguise, which is the process of identity change; and transformation, which is the end of the story and the resolution of the problem.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ideas

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

IDEAS Journal is published twice a year in the months of June and December (P-ISSN 2338-4778 and E-ISSN 2548-4192); it presents articles on English language teaching and learning, linguistics, and literature. The contents include analyses, studies and application of theories, research report, ...