The narrative meaning of the ‘second bond’ seen through the comparison of narratives between the folk tale “The Snail Bride” and the web novel “Marry My Husband”

This thesis examines the narrative divergences in the concept of ‘second marriage’ through a comparative analysis of the folk tale “The Snail Bride” and the web novel “Marry My Husband.” Both narratives exhibit a common structural configuration, comprising a beautiful woman, an ordinary man, and an extraordinary man. The woman initially enters into a marriage with the ordinary man (her first marriage) and subsequently transitions to a marriage with the extraordinary man (her second marriage). The progression of events in both narratives can be summarized as follows: The narrative structure of both texts can be summarized as follows: (1) The initial encounter between the woman and the ordinary man, (2) the exploration of their relationship, (3) the marriage, (4) the emergence of conflicts between the woman and her mother-in-law and/or husband, (5) the meeting and union of the woman with the extraordinary man, and (6) the separation from the ordinary man and confirmed union with the extraordinary man. “The Snail Bride” and the web novel are also connected in terms of their underlying semantics. “The Snail Bride” is regarded as a tragic account of an ordinary couple who are compelled to endure an involuntary separation as a consequence of the avarice of a powerful individual. This is the narrative meaning of the work if we focus on the fact that Governor takes Snail Bride away from the perspective of an old bachelor. However, an analysis of the Snail Bride narrative reveals that there is no instance in which the protagonist, who has become Governor's wife, explicitly rejects the life she has been forced into. If we consider her attitude toward her second husband to be latent in this part, we can make a different assessment of whether this narrative is a tragedy. The web novel “Marry My Husband” provides further insight into the concept of happiness in “The Snail Bride”. This is because the narrative of the ‘love’ between a woman and her second husband is constructed in a way that portrays the woman's happiness in escaping the drudgery of her life thanks to her second husband. Furthermore, the novel “Marry My Husband” outlines a narrative arc wherein passive female characters regain their autonomy. The female characters are transformed into enterprising individuals who are driven by a desperate need to live a life that aligns with their true selves. They devise strategies and pursue their own happiness with determination. The ‘second marriage’ can be seen as the result of the woman's recognition and acceptance of her own desires. In conclusion, the folk tale “The Snail Bride” and the web novel “Marry My Husband” share not only structural homology but also a narrative semantic context. “The Snail Bride” is an example of a contemporary web novel that emphasizes the interpretive field of “The Snail Bride”.