From two presuppositions that Literature must reveal 'the life as a whole' and the most important philosophy in Education must be 'respecting students', we can get a clear conclusion that Literature Education should purpose to make learners see their ...
From two presuppositions that Literature must reveal 'the life as a whole' and the most important philosophy in Education must be 'respecting students', we can get a clear conclusion that Literature Education should purpose to make learners see their society and their own lives more actively. Socio-constructivism theory that creating and appreciating literary works are not only trivial or individual acts but social ones which create and share social discussions also tells that more dialogue and discuss are needed in Literature Education of today. Here is the reason why I stress Fantasy Tales in this study. I would say 'Subversion' and 'Critical spirit' which are characteristics of Fantasy Tales can supply children with critical and active sights for their society, and 'sincere desire' in Fantasy world enables them to make sure 'what they really want'. In other words, Fantasy Tales can fulfill a great goal of Literature Education as 'constituting individual and social identity' by making children understand deeply not only their society but also themselves. Besides, in that Fantasy Tales are abundant in Imagination which is started from close investigating our real world, it can be the solution about the problems today's Literature Education has.
In Korea, Fantasy Tales have been studied largely in two opposite streams, both mislead us to an insufficient concept about Fantasy. One regards Fantasy as a common quality of Literature, the other sees it as a feature which distinguishes from other literary genres. Thus the current view that investigates Fantasy in aspects of philosophy or spirit can be the synthetic and alternative one. Following that theory, Fantasy is a new point of view on real world and lives as well as a type of Literature implies hopes or sincere desires 'now and here' people have.
Looking through evolves of Modern Fantasy Tales in Korea, we can find four characteristics.('Modern' is a concept contrary to 'Traditional', so I would confirm that I don't include 'Traditional Fantasy Tales' in this study.) The characteristics can be summed up like these: establishing children-centered visions(or interests), beautiful expressions and delicate fantasy skills based on Aesthetic viewpoint, reflecting critical consciousness of society, and giving deep introspection on nature of living things.
And we can point out some problems concerned with the way of choosing and teaching Fantasy Tales by surveying textbooks used in Korean classes in Korea like these. Firstly, we've neglected children's personality or free will cause we've overemphasized an enlightening function of fairy tales. Secondly, many Fantasy-tales, made on authur's view, have failed to reflect children's own interests. Thirdly, we've been inactive in finding good Korean Fantasy-tales and give them to children. Fourthly, we've failed to carry out literature classes focused on peculiarities of Fantasy-tales.
Considering them all, we can propose some plans to accept Korean Modern Fantasy Tales into Literature-classes for elementary school students.
For the first step, we can value and choose good Korean Fantasy Tales using standards of good Fantasy Tales. Firstly Fantasy world of tales should be logical and reasonable, creative, and chidren-centered. Secondly concerned with Story, Narrative should be coherent, Expressions should be easy and beautiful, and Characters should act coherently. Thirdly, concerned with Children as a consumer, Tales should be educative as well as interesting.
For the second, we can start to devise literature class focused on characteristics of Fantasy Tales by setting up 'essential elements to teach' of Fantasy Tales. They can be an Enjoying a Fantasy, Indulging a Fantasy, and Expanding Imagination.
For the third, we can devise many concrete strategies or activities based on 'Principles in Teaching Fantasy Tales'. They are summed up as Principles of Pleasure, Harmony between imaginative and real world, Admitting Various-opinions, and Appreciating and Experiencing the Beauty.
Besides, I suggest some activities and plans for classes just as samples for teachers. I hope this study promote critical discuss and affection on Fantasy-tales from teachers, so that many plans and strategies to accept Good Korean Fantasy-tales could be pursued more actively.