Lecture Notes on Structuralism and Vladimir Propp

Overview of Structuralism

• Definition: A thing's identity is defined by its place in a structure.
• Previous discussions have established foundational concepts in structuralism.

Vladimir Propp - Introduction

• Propp: A literary scholar often associated with structuralism.
• Approach: Analyzed Russian fairy tales to uncover structural patterns.
• Distinction: Unlike hermeneuticists, Propp focuses on the overall structure rather than individual story meanings.

Propp's Analysis of Fairy Tales

• Methodology: Analyzing a large corpus of Russian fairy tales.
• Aim: To dissect fairy tales into components and understand their structural roles.

Key Concepts in Propp's Framework

1. Structure of Fairy Tales:
   • Assumption: Fairy tales have a determinate structure despite surface differences.
   • Example Scenes from Fairy Tales:
     • Tsar gives an eagle, which helps the hero.
     • An old man gives a horse to Suchenko, aiding his journey.
     • A sorcerer provides a boat to Ivan for travel.
     • A princess gives a ring that brings aid to Ivan.
   • Common Elements:
     • Roles of characters: Hero and Donor.
     • Functions: Reception of magical objects and guidance to a new location.

Character Roles in Fairy Tales

• Seven Types of Characters:
  • Most important roles: Hero, Princess, Villain.
  • Role Definition:
    • Hero's identity is defined by struggle against the Villain to rescue the Princess.
    • Absence of any of these roles (e.g., no Villain or Princess) negates the fairy tale structure.
  • Characters' identities depend on their structural roles rather than intrinsic qualities.

Narrative Functions in Fairy Tales

• Propp's 31 Functions:
  • Functions are plot events common across tales.
  • Examples of Functions:
    1. Magical Agent Receipt: Hero receives a magical object.
    2. Guidance: Hero is directed to a vital location.
• Interdiction and Violation Functions:
  • Interdiction: A warning given to the hero (e.g., warnings against straying from the path).
  • Violation: The hero breaches the warning.
  • Combinatorial Rules:
    • Violation necessitates prior Interdiction.
    • Interdiction must be accompanied by Violation for narrative engagement.

Implications of Propp's Analysis

• Propp identifies rules governing the combination and order of functions in fairy tales.
• Similar to linguistic structure, Propp reveals how narrative functions create well-formed fairy tales.
• Applicability:
  • Works best for genres with rigid conventions (e.g., James Bond movies).
  • More challenging in complex literary genres (e.g., avant-garde films).

Conclusion

• Structuralism enriches the humanities by revealing how roles in narratives define identity.
• Key insights of structuralism can be applied across various fields, influencing literary criticism and beyond.