The Analysis of Moral Values of Narrative Text in English for Cambodian Textbook

Abstract

Narrative ethics views moral principles as an intrinsic aspect of stories and storytelling. The moral values give the good message taken by readers due to its significant in reading comprehension of narrative texts. This study is conducted to examine the moral values in the three carefully chosen English narrative stories as well as let students learn something from the stories. Well, the researcher wants to examine the ethical values hidden in the three narrative texts chosen from English for Cambodian High School Textbook, the meaning of each moral value, to correlate these ethical values to the real life, religious and Khmer people’s perception. To achieve these objectives, the researchers applied descriptive qualitative research design by utilizing an in-depth and highly understanding explanation of data. Convenience sampling will be used to select the criteria entitle: 1) The Trial, 2) After the Funeral, 3) A Sad but Familiar Story”. The results show that at least one moral value consists in each story among others: Evasion of one's bad deeds is the act of a criminal, the law is not on the side of evil/Bad deeds cannot be hidden, Bad deeds cannot escape the law, nothing lasts forever, and alcohol is the root destroyer of Family Happiness. In conclusion, each of English narrative text has its own distinct and important moral lesson(s) for life. There are several hints in the sections of analysis that illustrate some evidences which indicate Khmer views regarding Buddha's theory as good principles in life.