Review of Narrative Structures In Burmese Folk Tales. By Soe Marlar Lwin, Amherst, NY: Cambria Press, 2010. Xvi + 178

Abstract

This is a review of a book containing a Narrative Analysis of the plots of 27 Burmese folk tales in English translation. As applied here, Narrative Analysis is an insightful set of research methodologies to discover regular features of plot structures; however, it does not include the aspects of Textual Analysis that dig deeply into the structures and features of the original language. In this book, no actual features of the Burmese language are discussed. Both Narrative Analysis and Textual Analysis fall into the same broad set of methodologies and inquiries that are covered by the term Discourse Analysis. This book is valuable in understanding and guiding analysis of narratives following in the tradition of Vladimir Propp and his study of the morphology of Russian fairy tales. The book proposes a clear, imitable method that allows comparison of folk tale structure using form, function and field. It also suggests ways that Narrative Analysts and Folklorists can examine cultural influences reflected in the folktales.