Function (literary criticism)

The term was introduced by V. Ya. Propp in 1927 in the "Morphology of a (magical) fairy tale" , where the scientist explores the genre features expressed in the plot of a folklore fairy tale. According to Propp, the general plot of the genre is a series of invariant (constant) actions. A fairy tale researcher lists these stocks. There are 31 of them in total, or function:

Separation, prohibition and violation of the prohibition, reconnaissance of the wrecker and the issuance of information about the hero and aiding, wrecking (or shortage), mediation, starting resistance, sending, the first function of the donor and the reaction of the hero, receiving a magic tool, spatial movement, fighting, branding the hero, victory, liquidation of the shortage, the return of the hero, persecution and salvation, unrecognized arrival, the claim of a false hero, difficult task and solution, recognition and conviction, transfiguration, punishment, wedding.

Propp functions are distributed among the seven characters in a fairy tale. Propp highlights:

1. A hero.
2. Antagonist (pest).
3. The donor of magic means to the hero of a fairy tale.
4. The magic assistant.
5. Princess or her father.
6. Sender.
7. False hero.

All these actors have their own circle of actions, i.e. one or more functions.

• Vladimir Propp. Morphology of the “fairy tale”