The Historical Roots of the Fairy Tale

Summary

In his book "The Historical Roots of the Fairy Tale," Vladimir Yakovlevich Propp embarks on a profound journey into the origins of folk storytelling, revealing to the reader the true nature and meaning of the fairy tale. With scientific rigor and artistic expressiveness, the author explores ancient rituals, ceremonies, and myths that form the foundation of fairy tale plots, showing how they have transformed into the whimsical images and motifs familiar to us since childhood. Propp traces the connection between the fairy tale and initiation rites, wedding and funeral customs, uncovering hidden layers of the collective unconscious. His work is not only an analysis of the structure and functions of the fairy tale, but also a thoughtful meditation on eternal archetypes, human fears, and hopes embodied in magical narratives. The book becomes a key to understanding the mysterious world of folk imagination, where behind the enchanting magic lie real historical roots and profound meanings.