MORPHOLIGICAL STUDY OF THE MARVELOUS TALES

This is the first study about popular stories realized by Vladimir Propp. He indicates that all the stories

have constant and variables elements: the characters and their attributes change but the functions and actions of these remain. These are the functions:

INITIAL SITUATIONPRESENTATION OF FAMILY

MEMBERS

Stepmother, snow white, servants and the seven dwarfs

REMOVALA member of the family is absent or a guard dies.

When Snow White ran into the dense woods, ran without resting for a long

time.

PROHIBITIONA prohibition or order to protect of the

unfortunately future.The seven dwarfs prohibit her to open door to

strangers

TRANSGRESSIONTo break the prohibition

Snow White ignores to the dwarfs’ warning and opens the door to a stranger

INTERROGATORY The evil attempts to obtain information.

When the queen ask to the mirror who is the most beautiful woman in the world.

Snow white and the seven dwarves.

INFORMATIONThe evil get information

The stepmother asks the mirror information on the whereabouts of Snow White

TRICKERYThe evil tries to deceive his victim.

The queen turn to in an old woman and gives a poisoned apple

COMPLICITYThe victim falls into the trap and help the

offender.When the queen sends the woodcutter to kill

Snow White but he pities her.

MISDEEDThe evil harm a family member.

The queen gives her a poisoned apple. 

LACKSomething is missing from one of the

members of the family or one of these you want to own something.

 

MEDIATIONDisclosed the news of the misdeeds

START COUNTER ACTIONA hero of the story accepts to repair

deficiency.

DEPARTUREThe hero leaves home and goes in search of

evil.

FUNCTION OF DONORA new character: the donor delivers the hero

magical object. .

HERO’S REACTIONThe hero performs tests to earn the magical

object

MAGIC OBJECT RECEPTION

The hero gets the magic object

MOVEMENT IN SPACEThe hero is transported near the site of the

object of his search.

COMBATThe hero and the evil fight. (Physically or

mentally).

MARK TO THE HEROThe hero receives a mark to identify him.

VICTORYThe hero defeats the evil.

REPAIRThe initial damage is repaired.

BACKThe hero returns home.

PERSECUTIONThe hero can be attacked again.

RELIEFThe hero manages to escape from

persecution.

ARRIVAL OF INCOGNITOThe hero comes home incognito.

MISLEADING CLAIMSA false hero claimed responsibility for the

deeds.

DIFFICULT MISSIONThe hero makes a new action to verify his

status as hero.

MISSION ACOMPLISHEDThe hero meets fully the task.

RECOGNITION-GRATITUDE:

The hero is recognized.

DISCOVERYThe false hero is discovered.

TRANSFIGURATION-NEW LOOK

hero gets a new look.

PUNISHMENTfalse hero or the evil receive the punishment

they deserve.

MATRIMONYThe hero marries and ascends the throne.