Moral Development of Child Protagonists in Perrault's Fairy Tales: A Kohlbergian Analysis: Perkembangan Moral Tokoh Utama Anak dalam Dongeng-dongeng Perrault: Sebuah Analisis Berdasarkan Teori Kohlberg

Rd Defira Dien Haiqa; Yuliarti Mutiarsih; Dudung Gumilar

doi:10.58194/eloquence.v5i2.3414

Authors

Rd Defira Dien Haiqa Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Yuliarti Mutiarsih Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Dudung Gumilar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58194/eloquence.v5i2.3414

Keywords:

Moral Development, Kohlberg’s Theory, Children’s Literature, French Fairy Tales, Charles Perrault

Abstract

Background: Fairy tales play an important role in shaping children's character because they contain moral values that reflect stages of moral development.

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the stages of moral development in children in Charles Perrault's fairy tales using Kohlberg's theory of moral development.

Method: This study uses a qualitative design with a content analysis approach based on literature review. Data were sourced from two selected fairy tales in Contes de Perrault, Le Petit Chaperon Rouge and Le Petit Poucet, which feature children as the main characters. Data collection techniques were carried out through text reading and note-taking of narratives containing moral values. The data were analyzed by classifying the findings into levels and types of moral development according to Kohlberg's theory.

Results and Discussion: The results show that both fairy tales contain two levels of Kohlberg's moral development with different variations. Differences in the complexity of the storyline and the maturity of the main characters influence the diversity of moral values found. This study fills a gap in research by showing that classic French fairy tales are not only narrative in nature, but also systematically represent the stages of children's moral development.

Conclusions and Implications: This study concludes that Charles Perrault's fairy tales are relevant as a medium for studying children's moral development. These findings imply the use of classic fairy tales as a source of moral learning and open up opportunities for further research on other children's literature.

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