Vladimir Propp's Functions of Narrative

Valdimir Propp's Morphology of the Folktale is an analysis of Russian folk stories, many of which have similarities to Western European fairy stories. Propp's thesis is that all the folk tales he studies share elements of structure which can be reduced to 31 "functions." These functions, Propp feels, are the most fundamental elements of the tale. While individual tales may omit any number of functions, the functions which are present will always occur in the specified sequence: Function 3 will always precede Function 15, for instance, despite the fact that any number of intervening functions may be missing.

While Propp himself made no larger claims for his work, many scholars from the 1960s onwards have noted that the functions, with a little creative adaptation, seem to work well in describing a variety of narratives--novels, films, soap operas, comics and non-fictional accounts such as biographies and accounts of scientific discovery.

Propp argues that each folk tale begins with an initial situation, in which members of the family and the hero are introduced to the reader or listener. The narrative then consists of the following functions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1	Abstentation. One member of family absents himself or herself
2	Interdiction. An interdiction is addressed to the Hero--a command, request, suggestion, etc.
3	Violation. The interdiction is violated. At this point a new personage, the Villain, enters the stoty.
4	Reconnaissance. The Villain makes an attempt to gather information.
5	Delivery. The Villain receives information about his or her Victim.
6	Trickery. The Villain attempts to deceive his Victim.
7	Complicity. The Victim submits to this deception.
8a	Villainy. The Villain causes harm or injury to a member of a family. This function is exceptionally important, since by means of it the actual movement of the tale is created.
8b	Lack. Some tales may initiate complication through lack or insufficiency rather than villainy .The family may desire something or lack something
9	Mediation. Misfortune or Lack is made known; the Hero is approached, requested or commanded. He or she is allowed to go or dispatched.
10	Counteraction. The Hero agrees to take action to counter the misfortune or lack.
11	Departure. The Hero leaves home.
12	First Donor Function. The Hero is tested, interrogated, attacked, which prepares for his or her receipt of a magical agent or helper from a Donor
13	Hero's Reaction. The Hero reacts to the actions of the future Donor
14	Receipt of Agent. Hero acquires use of magical agent or helper
15	Guidance. Hero is led or guided to the object of search
16	Struggle. Vilain and Hero engage in direct combat
17	Marking. The hero is branded or marked.
18	Victory. The Villain is defeated.
19	Liquidation. The misfortune or lack is now liquidated.
20	Return. The Hero returns.
21	Pursuit. The Hero is pursued.
22	Rescue. The Hero is rescued from pursuit. Many narratives end here, or preceding elements of the narrative may be repeated.
23	Unrecognized arrival. Hero arrives, unrecognized, home or elsewhere.
24	Unfounded Claims. A False Hero presents unfounded claims.
25	Difficult Task . A difficult task is presented to the Hero.
26	Solution. Task is solved.
27	Recognition. Hero is recognized.
28	Exposure. False Hero or Villain exposed.
29	Transfiguration. Hero given new appearance.
30	Punishment. Villain is punished.
31	Wedding. Hero is married and/or ascends the throne.