Indian Fairy Tales · Question
How does Indian Fairy Tales develop the theme of The External Soul?
Answer
Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs develops The External Soul across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
A prominent motif in 'Punchkin' and its parallels, where a villain's life force is hidden in a series of nested objects (e.g., a box, a fish, a tree), representing the idea of invulnerability and the quest to defeat evil by finding its hidden weakness.
Punchkin's life is hidden in a parrot; destroying the parrot kills him.
The chapter discusses the 'external soul' or 'Life Index' incident, found in both Norse tales and Indian tales like 'Punchkin', and its widespread occurrence among savage or semi-savage tribes as noted by Frazer.
The central theme of the chapter, where Punchkin's life is hidden in a series of nested objects, illustrating the concept of an external soul or 'life-index'.
Evidence in the book
- Punchkin
Punchkin's life is hidden in a parrot; destroying the parrot kills him.
- Notes and References
The chapter discusses the 'external soul' or 'Life Index' incident, found in both Norse tales and Indian tales like 'Punchkin', and its widespread occurrence among savage or semi-savage tribes as noted by Frazer.
- IV: Punchkin
The central theme of the chapter, where Punchkin's life is hidden in a series of nested objects, illustrating the concept of an external soul or 'life-index'.
