Abstract:
The thesis THE IMAGES OF MERMAID IN THAI LITERATURE aims to examine the images of mermaid and literary devices used for presenting them in Thai literature, by analysing mermaid characters in both ancient and contemporary Thai literary works as follows: Thai dramatic literature including Unnarut, Ramakien, Phra Aphai Mani, the So Wat Klon Suat; as well as novels such as the Mermaid Apprentices and Mermaid Rhapsody. It is found that in both ancient and contemporary Thai literary works, the physical images of mermaids are portrayed as having the body of a human and a fish's tail from the waist down. In terms of personalities and behaviours, the researcher found 4 images of mermaids in ancient Thai literature: mermaids with devotion to love, bravery, gratitude towards benefactors, and devotion to the Dharma world. As for mermaids in contemporary Thai literature, there are 7 images: mermaids with devotion to love, bravery, wisdom, emotional restraint, forbearance, gratitude and self-centredness. In terms of literary devices used for presenting images of mermaid in Thai literature, it is found that characters are presented by the authors in 2 ways: 1. directly, that is, characters being described both by the authors and by other characters; and 2. indirectly, which includes showing characters' personalities through their actions, conversations, and thoughts. In addition, the uses of figure of speech and symbols including simile, metaphor, and hyperbole as well as symbolism enable readers to clearly see the mermaid characters' images.