| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立臺東大學 === 兒童文學研究所 === 98 === Helpers in Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Abstract
Grimm’s Fairy Tales is a collection of German folk literature and widespread around the world. They are also what many people share in common in childhood. The most touching plot in the stories is the interaction between the main characters and helpers.
The researcher aims to explore the role “helper” in Grimm’s Fairy Tales. The concept of “helper” appears in mythological archetypes and Narratological theories. Different theories acknowledge the importance of the role from different perspectives.
The study is mainly based on the book “Morphology of the Folk Tale” by Russian folklorist, Vladimir Propp. Propp analyzed the character types and their functions thoroughly. Characters have different action circles and connect with each other. Character functions have certain models and appear in various stories. Propp made stories “morphological” and the researcher applies the analysis on Grimm’s Fairy Tales.
First, the study analyzes the challenges the characters encounter to ensure the contexts in which helpees need help. Then the images of helpers are collected and it is found out that besides human beings, numerous animals, fairies and deities are helpers as well. Last, various forms of help are explored and how these different helping plots influenced the process of stories are induced.
It is found out that the characteristics of the helpees reflect the longing towards virtues at that time. The appearance of helpers represents the ideals people have towards goodness of human nature. Grimm’s Fairy Tales, as all the other folk literature, preserves the collective will of the people and the anticipation of faith, kindness and the future.
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