Russian Fairy Tales (RUSS 0090)

Definitions of Basic Terms

Folklore

The traditional beliefs, legends, customs, etc. of a people; lore of a people; collected wisdom of a people (oral, ritualistic; associated with nature, agrarian aspects of a given culture; associated with calendar feasts and rites of passage).

Fairy Tale

A story involving supernatural people or events (not necessarily fairies). Narrowly defined, fairy tale refers to folk or popular fairy tales, which lack a specific author or time of composition. Texts similar to folk fairy tales but written by a specific author are qualified as literary fairy tales.

Animism

1. The belief that natural objects, natural phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls or consciousness. 2. The belief that souls may exist apart from bodies.

Anthropomorphic

Ascribing human form or attributes to a being or thing not human, esp. to a deity.

Ritual

Any practice or pattern of behavior repeated in a prescribed manner (e.g., religious ritual).

Remythologize

The reinterpretation of rituals belonging to one system as belonging to another. The pagan winter solstice celebration became Christmas after the christianization of Rus′ (the early East Slavic state, centered in Kiev). After the institution of state atheism in the Soviet Union, traditional features of Christmas were recast as a celebration of the New Year (e.g., Santa Claus became Father Frost).

Dvoeverie

“Double faith” or “double belief.” The simultaneous subscription to two different, and possibly even contradictory, belief systems. Characteristic of early Russian Christianity, where people observed Christian rites but nonetheless continued to adhere to certain pagan beliefs and practices.

Metamorphosis

A complete change of form, structure, or substance as transformation by magic or witchcraft.

Constant/Fixed Epithet

A descriptive adjective used unvaryingly to qualify a noun, frequent in Homer’s epics and in folklore genres, e.g., oxen-eyed Hera, wine-red sea, open field, bright falcon, beauteous maiden. Note also fixed formulae, such as “run as a gray wolf” in Russian.

Magic Numbers

1, 2, esp. 3, 7, and their multiples, e.g., 3 x 3.

The Number Three

Triad: A group of three, esp. of three closely related or associated persons or things.
Trebling: Repetition in groups of three (e.g., three siblings, three tasks).

Magic Objects and Elements

Examples from Ivanits, chapter 1: Cyclicity (ring, egg, drawing or walking in circles around something, circle dances), fertility (egg, seed, tree), purity (fire, water), bounty (livestock, grain, fruits and vegetables, bread, feasting), return of the sun after winter (fire, birds, pussy willows, early bloomers), personifications of holidays (effigies), etc.