Morphology of the Folktale by V. Propp

Author:V. Propp
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Published: 1968-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER IV

Assimilations: Cases of the Double Morphological Meaning of a Single Function

It has already been shown that functions must be defined independently of the characters who are supposed to fulfill them. In following the enumeration of the functions, one becomes convinced that they must also be defined independently of how and in what manner they are fulfilled. This sometimes complicates the definition of individual cases, since different functions may be fulfilled in exactly the same way. Apparently we are confronted here with the influence of certain forms upon others. This phenomenon may be termed the assimilation of the means of fulfillment of functions.

This complicated phenomenon cannot be fully illuminated here. It can be examined only to the extent that this is necessary for subsequent analyses.

Let us examine a case in point (160): Iván asks a witch for a horse. She proposes that he select the best from a herd of identical colts. He chooses accurately and takes the horse. The action at the witch’s house is a test of the hero by the donor, followed by the receipt of a magical agent. But in another tale (219), we see that the hero desires to wed the daughter of the water spirit who requires the hero to choose his bride from among twelve identical maidens. Can this case, as well, be defined as a donor’s test? It is clear that in spite of the identical quality of the actions, we are confronted with a completely different element, namely, a difficult task connected with matchmaking. Assimilation of one form with another has taken place. Without concerning ourselves with the question of the priority of this or that particular meaning, we must nevertheless find the criterion which in all such cases would permit us to differentiate among elements without respect to similarity of actions. In these instances it is always possible to be governed by the principle of defining a function according to its consequences. If the receiving of a magical agent follows the solution of a task, then it is a case of the donor testing the hero (D1). If the receipt of a bride and a marriage follow, then we have an example of the difficult task (M).

A difficult task can be distinguished from a dispatch of a complicational nature by the same method. The dispatch of someone in search of a deer with golden antlers, etc., also might be termed a “difficult task,” but morphologically such a dispatch is a different element from a task set by a princess or a witch. If a dispatch gives rise to a departure, prolonged search (Cf), the meeting with a donor, etc., we have a complicational element (a, B, lack and dispatch). If a task is immediately solved and leads directly to marriage, we have M-N (a difficult task and its solution).

If marriage follows the fulfillment of a task, this means that the bride is earned or obtained through fulfillment of the task. In this manner the consequence of the task (and an

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