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Propp's theory...

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Propp’s Theory Things that occur in every story 31 Narrative Functions 1 - Abstention - Member of family leaves home (hero is introduced) 2 - Interdiction - Something the hero cannot do, is introduced ‘don’t go there’ 3 - Violation - The interdiction is violated (villain enters the tale) 4 - Reconnaissance - Villain makes an attempt for this, tries to find the children/jewels etc. 5 - Delivery - Villain gains information about the victim 6 - Trickery - Villain attempts to deceive the victim to take possession of victim or their belongings. 7 - Complicity - Victim taken in by deception, accidently helps the enemy 8 - Villainy - Villain causes harm or injury to family member/member of family lacks something, e.g magical potion 9 - Mediation - Misfortune or lack is made known (hero is dispatched, hears call for help etc) 10 - Counteraction - Seeker agrees to, decides upon counter-action 11 - Departure - Hero leaves home 12 - First Donor Function - Hero is tested, preparing the way to receive his/her/ magical agent or helper (donor) 13 - Hero’s Reaction - Hero reacts to actions of future donor 14 - Receipt of Agent - Hero acquires use of magical agent 15 - Spatial Change - Hero is transferred, delivered or led to whereabouts of an object of the search 16 - Struggle - Hero and villain join in direct combat 17 - Branding - Hero is branded (wounded/marked) 18 - Victory - Villain is defeated 19 - Liquidation - Initial misfortune or lack is resolved (object found/spell broken etc) 20 - Return - Hero returns 21 - Persuit, Chase - Hero is pursued (pursuer tries to kill/undermine the hero) 22 - Rescue - Hero is rescued from pursuit (obstacles delay pursuer/hero hides/transforms) 23 - Unrecognized arrival - Hero arrives home unrecognized 24 - Unfounded claims - False hero presents unfounded claims 25 - Difficult Task - Task proposed to her (trial/ordeal/riddles/test of strength etc) 26 - Solution - Task is resolved 27 - Recognition - Hero is recognised 28 - Exposure - False hero or villain is exposed 29 - Transfiguration - Hero is given new appearance (is made whole/handsome/new garments etc.) 30 - Punishment - Villain is punished 31 - Wedding - Hero marries and ascends the throne (is rewarded/promoted) These narrative functions are spread between the main characters AKA the 7 spheres of action, as they play an important role.

Villain - who struggles with the hero Donor - who prepares and helps the hero with magical agent Helper - who assists/rescues/solves Princess - a sought after person (and/or her father) who exists as a goal Dispatcher - sends the hero off Hero - who departs on a search (seeker hero) or reacts to the donor and weds and end False hero - villain who claims that they are the hero...