Propp's Morphology of the Folktale (Vladimir Propp)

Vladimir Propp's Morphology of the Folktale analyzes common patterns and character types in Russian folk tales. He identified 31 narrative functions—like a hero leaving home, facing challenges, or receiving aid—that tend to appear in a specific order. He also described recurring character roles, such as the hero, villain, and helper. Propp's work shows that many fairy tales share a basic structure and themes, making these stories understandable regardless of cultural differences. Essentially, it’s a way of understanding how stories are built, revealing the underlying framework that shapes many traditional tales.