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VLADIMIR PROPP'S THEORY OF NARRATIVITY AND ANANSE STORIES

Propp's 31 Functions

Propp asserts that there are 31 (and no more than 31) functions found in the fairy tales he analyzes, though a given tale might not contain all 31 functions (Berger, 24). For Propp, all stories begin with what he calls an "initial situation", in which the main characters are introduced; this is not a function (Berger, 24).

initial situation
1. absentation
2. interdiction
3. violation
4. reconnaissance
5. delivery
6. trickery
7. complicity
8. a) villainy; b) lack
9. mediation
10. counteraction
11. departure
12. 1st donor function
13. hero's reaction
14. receipt of agent
15. spatial change
16. struggle
17. branding
18. victory
19. liquidation
20. return
21. pursuit, chase
22. rescue
23. unrecognized arrival
24. unfounded claims
25. difficult task
26. solution
27. recognition
28. exposure
29. transfiguration
30. punishment
31. wedding

(Berger, 26)

To generate your own fairy takes and to see how each function structures a tale, please click here