Analysis of A Folktale "Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs" Using Propp's Model

Analysis of a folktale
“Snow White and the

Seven Dwarfs” using
Propp’s Model
Mishal Zahra (70081413)
Introduction
▪ Vladimir Propp was a Russian folklorist and scholar.

▪ He is best known for his work in the field of structural analysis of
folktales.
▪ He was born on April 29, 1895, in Russia, and lived until August 22,
1970.
▪ Propp's book, "Morphology of the Folktale," was published in 1928.
▪ It revolutionised the study of folklore and narrative structure.
Propp’s Model
▪ Propp's model consists of thirty-one narrative functions and seven

basic character roles.
▪ Narrative functions represent important actions or events that move
the story forward.
▪ These functions are performed by seven main types of characters or
roles.
▪ According to Propp, a tale usually starts with a situation, and then
different things happen in a specific order.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Character Roles
▪ Heroine/Protagonist : Snow White - The main character and the

object of the queen's envy due to her beauty.
▪ Villain: Wicked Queen/Stepmother - The primary antagonist who
becomes jealous of Snow White's beauty and seeks to kill her.
▪ Donor: Huntsman - Initially ordered by the queen to kill Snow White,
but he takes pity on her and lets her go, providing her with a chance
to survive.
▪ Helper: Seven Dwarfs - They provide Snow White with shelter, food,
and protection when she arrives at their cottage in the woods.
Character Roles
▪ Dispatcher: The wicked queen - She dispatches the huntsman to kill

Snow White and later takes matters into her own hands to ensure
Snow White's demise.
▪ False Hero: The wicked queen - She disguises herself multiple times in
an attempt to deceive Snow White and bring harm to her.
▪ The prince - The secondary hero who arrives, becomes enchanted by
Snow White's beauty, and ultimately revives her from her death-like
sleep.
Narrative Functions
▪ Absentation: Absentation occurs when Snow White is removed from

her familiar environment, the castle, and sent into the forest to be
killed.
▪ Interdiction: The evil queen commands the huntsman to kill Snow
White. This is the interdiction or a command for the huntsman.
▪ Violation: The huntsman disobeys the queen's command and lets
Snow White go. This is the violation of the interdiction.
Continue…
▪ Reconnaissance: The evil queen becomes aware that the huntsman did not
fulfil her orders and Snow White is still alive.
▪ She uses her magic mirror to gain information and learns that Snow White is
alive and hiding in the forest.
▪ Villainy or Lack: The evil queen, feeling threatened by Snow White's beauty,
decides to take matters into her own hands. She uses her powers to
transform herself into different disguises, attempting to deceive and harm
Snow White directly.
▪ Donor: In the forest, Snow White comes across a group of animals who
show her kindness and lead her to the cottage of the seven dwarfs. They can
be considered as the donor figures, providing her with shelter and safety.
Continue…
▪ Hero's reaction: Snow White gratefully accepts the assistance of the

animals and the dwarfs, forming a bond with them and starting a new
life in their care.
▪ Guidance: The dwarfs serve as guides and mentors to Snow White,
warning her of the queen's treachery and teaching her how to protect
herself.
▪ Trickery: Snow White encounters the tricks of the evil queen in the
form of various disguises, including a peddler woman and a comb.
Continue…
▪ Complicity: Snow White unknowingly falls victim to the queen's tricks

and accepts the poisoned apple from her, which puts her into a state
of "sleeping death."
▪ Struggle: The evil queen makes several attempts to kill Snow White,
using disguises and a poisoned apple.
▪ Snow White falls into a deep sleep after biting the poisoned apple,
creating a conflict that must be resolved.
▪ Victory: The prince arrives and is captivated by Snow White's beauty.
He awakens her with true love's kiss, breaking the curse of the
poisoned apple and defeating the evil queen.
Continue…
▪ Liquidation: The issues are resolved. The evil queen meets her
downfall as punishment for her villainous actions.
▪ Wedding: Snow White and the prince get married, and the evil queen
receives her punishment.
Thank You

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Analysis of a folktale

“Snow White and the

▪ Vladimir Propp was a Russian folklorist and scholar.

▪ Propp's model consists of thirty-one narrative functions and seven

▪ Heroine/Protagonist : Snow White - The main character and the

▪ Dispatcher: The wicked queen - She dispatches the huntsman to kill

▪ Absentation: Absentation occurs when Snow White is removed from

▪ Hero's reaction: Snow White gratefully accepts the assistance of the

▪ Complicity: Snow White unknowingly falls victim to the queen's tricks

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