Proppian Functions

Proppian functions are a way to analyze fairy tales and stories by breaking down their common narrative roles and actions. Developed by Vladimir Propp, these functions are recurring story tasks—such as a hero’s journey, a villain causing trouble, or a quest—that appear across many tales. Instead of focusing on characters’ personalities, Propp identified these structural functions to understand how stories are built. This framework helps reveal the typical sequence of events that drive a story forward, regardless of its specific setting or characters, highlighting the universal formulas underlying storytelling.