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RUSS 2231 Fairytales of Russia: Fairytale Paper Assignment
Your story will be graded based on six different criteria, described below: (1) Your adherence to the formula; (2) Originality; (3) Universality of theme; (4) Authenticity; (5) Conventions; (6) Grammar. Also, be sure to include a title for you fairytale. Illustrations are optional; however, if you do include illustrations, you are still required to write a minimum of three full pages.
(1) Adherence to the Formula
* You MUST write a fairytale based on the following formula:
A B C D E F D E F D E F G H I K W
* You MUST write the functions in the margins as they occur in your tale.
* Use Propp’s guidelines to make sure that you understand what the functions mean, so that you will use them properly in your tale.
(2) Originality
* While the object is to write a tale in the tradition of the Russian fairytale, we encourage you to be creative, provided you stay within the guidelines and parameters of the assignment.
* Be creative with the tests your hero/heroine faces (within the limits of established tradition), the struggles, the villainy, etc. Don’t simply say “Vasilisa was given a test, and she passed.” Instead, explain the text, and tell how she passed. Don’t simply say “Ivan was asked a riddle, and he solved it.” Instead, tell the riddle, and Ivan’s answer.
(3) Universality of Theme
* Fairytales are timeless and without place. Make sure that your fairytale is likewise timeless and without place. Don’t say “In Moscow, in Red Square.” Say instead, “In a certain time, in a certain place.” Don’t say “Ivan walked 100 miles.” Say instead, “Ivan walked for a long time or a short time.”
* Remember: fairytales describe events that could happen anywhere, at any time, to any one. This is why fairytale heroes and heroines oftentimes have such ambiguous names (or no name at all); this is why fairytales begin “Once upon a time.” Do not include any detail which would date or place your story (e.g., contemporary personalities or events).
* Fairytales are action-oriented and hero/heroine-centered.
* Fairytales lack specific detail. For example, a princess may be “more beautiful than words can tell or pen describe,” but we still don’t know her hair or eye color. Do not include abundant descriptive detail.
(4) Authenticity
* Your goal is to write a story that could pass as a traditional Russian fairytale.
* Incorporate traditional Russian fairytale villains, donors, heroes, heroines, and helpers (such as Baba Yaga, Koschei the Immortal, the Thumb-Sized Man, the firebird, Ivan Lie-on-the-Stove, Vasilisa the Wise, etc.)
* If you choose to incorporate one of the above Russian fairytale figures, be sure that you stay true to their traditional role, character, stock phrases, etc. For example, the Thumb-Sized Man is never the hero; Koschei the Immortal is a womanizer.
* Stock Phrases: from your reading, you should have an idea of what Baba Yaga typically says and what the hero replies in response; there are many phrases traditionally incorporated into fairytales, such as “it was a long time or a short time;” “for easily a tale is spun, with much less speed a deed is done;” “go to sleep: the morning is wiser than the evening;” etc. The use of such phrases will help contribute to the authenticity of the story.
(5) Conventions
* Incorporate fairytale flourishes (“The beer ran down my mustache, but did not go into my mouth.”) Feel free to create your own variations on the flourish. Remember, the flourish was the narrator’s not-so-subtle request for a reward for having told the story.
* Stick to fairytale language (much of which is described above).
(6) Grammar
* Write your story in the PAST tense, not the present; do not switch tenses throughout the story.
* Use correct grammar and spelling. PROOF READ!
Important Requirements:
* Your story must be a minimum of three FULL pages in length, double-spaced with normal margins and a 10-12 point font.
* Don’t hesitate to contact or set up an appointment with your recitation instructor should you want additional help with your fairytale.
• A HARD COPY of this assignment is due by or before 12:00 Friday, March 19. LATE PAPERS AND PAPERS SENT VIA E-MAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
For additional help, a copy of Propp’s Morphology of the Folktale has been put on reserve in Norlin Library; pp. 150-155 might be particularly helpful in suggesting various ways of fulfilling some of the roles/functions; Chapter III, “The Functions of the Dramatis Personae” might also be useful.
Your story will be graded based on six different criteria, described below: (1) Your adherence to the formula; (2) Originality; (3) Universality of theme; (4) Authenticity; (5) Conventions; (6) Grammar. Also, be sure to include a title for you fairytale. Illustrations are optional; however, if you do include illustrations, you are still required to write a minimum of three full pages.
(1) Adherence to the Formula
* You MUST write a fairytale based on the following formula:
A B C D E F D E F D E F G H I K W
* You MUST write the functions in the margins as they occur in your tale.
* Use Propp’s guidelines to make sure that you understand what the functions mean, so that you will use them properly in your tale.
(2) Originality
* While the object is to write a tale in the tradition of the Russian fairytale, we encourage you to be creative, provided you stay within the guidelines and parameters of the assignment.
* Be creative with the tests your hero/heroine faces (within the limits of established tradition), the struggles, the villainy, etc. Don’t simply say “Vasilisa was given a test, and she passed.” Instead, explain the text, and tell how she passed. Don’t simply say “Ivan was asked a riddle, and he solved it.” Instead, tell the riddle, and Ivan’s answer.
(3) Universality of Theme
* Fairytales are timeless and without place. Make sure that your fairytale is likewise timeless and without place. Don’t say “In Moscow, in Red Square.” Say instead, “In a certain time, in a certain place.” Don’t say “Ivan walked 100 miles.” Say instead, “Ivan walked for a long time or a short time.”
* Remember: fairytales describe events that could happen anywhere, at any time, to any one. This is why fairytale heroes and heroines oftentimes have such ambiguous names (or no name at all); this is why fairytales begin “Once upon a time.” Do not include any detail which would date or place your story (e.g., contemporary personalities or events).
* Fairytales are action-oriented and hero/heroine-centered.
* Fairytales lack specific detail. For example, a princess may be “more beautiful than words can tell or pen describe,” but we still don’t know her hair or eye color. Do not include abundant descriptive detail.
(4) Authenticity
* Your goal is to write a story that could pass as a traditional Russian fairytale.
* Incorporate traditional Russian fairytale villains, donors, heroes, heroines, and helpers (such as Baba Yaga, Koschei the Immortal, the Thumb-Sized Man, the firebird, Ivan Lie-on-the-Stove, Vasilisa the Wise, etc.)
* If you choose to incorporate one of the above Russian fairytale figures, be sure that you stay true to their traditional role, character, stock phrases, etc. For example, the Thumb-Sized Man is never the hero; Koschei the Immortal is a womanizer.
* Stock Phrases: from your reading, you should have an idea of what Baba Yaga typically says and what the hero replies in response; there are many phrases traditionally incorporated into fairytales, such as “it was a long time or a short time;” “for easily a tale is spun, with much less speed a deed is done;” “go to sleep: the morning is wiser than the evening;” etc. The use of such phrases will help contribute to the authenticity of the story.
(5) Conventions
* Incorporate fairytale flourishes (“The beer ran down my mustache, but did not go into my mouth.”) Feel free to create your own variations on the flourish. Remember, the flourish was the narrator’s not-so-subtle request for a reward for having told the story.
* Stick to fairytale language (much of which is described above).
(6) Grammar
* Write your story in the PAST tense, not the present; do not switch tenses throughout the story.
* Use correct grammar and spelling. PROOF READ!
Important Requirements:
* Your story must be a minimum of three FULL pages in length, double-spaced with normal margins and a 10-12 point font.
* Don’t hesitate to contact or set up an appointment with your recitation instructor should you want additional help with your fairytale.
• A HARD COPY of this assignment is due by or before 12:00 Friday, March 19. LATE PAPERS AND PAPERS SENT VIA E-MAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
For additional help, a copy of Propp’s Morphology of the Folktale has been put on reserve in Norlin Library; pp. 150-155 might be particularly helpful in suggesting various ways of fulfilling some of the roles/functions; Chapter III, “The Functions of the Dramatis Personae” might also be useful.