The Story of Mahajanaka by His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Nithan Sadok Thao Mahasanok, Lao Version: A Comparative Study of Narrative Techniques

Abstract

               This research aims to analyse the narrative techniques in the Story of Mahajanaka by His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Nithan Sadok Thao Mahasanok, Lao Version. Storytelling theory and notion of comparative literature study were used in the investigation. The results of study revealed that the story of Mahajanaka and Nithan Sadok Thao Mahasanok, Lao Version have similarity and dissimilarity strategies. The similarity strategies are integral setting, first person point of view, and picture storytelling for readers to have more comprehension in the story, and omniscient point of view.The dissimilarity strategies are plot, narrative techniques, characters, and theme. The plot of the Story of Mahajanaka had been changed at the end to make it differ from the Atthakatha Mahasanoka Chataka, whilst Nithan Sadok Thao Mahasanok, Lao Version mainly followed the Atthakatha Mahasanoka. In term of narrative techniques, the Story of Mahajanaka is considered the omniscient point of view when relating to main theme presentation and it is the third person limited point of view in order to avoid redundancy, whilst Nithan Sadok Thao Mahasanok, Lao Version is mostly considered the omniscient point of view in order to present characters’ feeling. Referring to characters, Phra Mahajanaka and Nang Manimekhala are main characters in the Story of Mahajanaka. Phra Mahajanaka is a holy character and a model of perseverance. Whereas, Nang Manimekhala is a Phra Mahajanaka’s intellect tester. This supports that Phra Mahajanaka is self- supportive.  Whilst, Nithan Sadok Thao Mahasanok, Lao Version, woman characters: his mother and his wife, Nang Siwali are also main characters as the author aimed to present delicate personalities. In term of theme, the Story of Mahajanaka presents the idea of perseverance and intellect. Whilst, Nithan Sadok Thao Mahasanok, Lao Versio presents ordain Nekkhamma. Although both stories are from Buddha literature, each has its own unique because of the different purposes in composition. Additionally, it has been found that culture of having Buddha literature to Thai-Lao Societies is due to holding Buddha religion