Next up in Propp’s Fairy Tale Functions: Unfounded Claims,
Difficult Task, Solution, and Recognition. I’ll continue using Aladdin, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s
Stone, and Stardust as example
material, except in cases where these stories don’t have the function.
Commentary on stages belongs to Christopher Vogler and David McKenna, authors
of Memo from the Story Dept. Examples
and story analysis are mine.
24. Unfounded Claims:
A new villain claims credit for defeating the first villain or claims the
right to marry the princess/inherit the kingdom.
Among the many possible final tests for the hero is the
appearance of a rival claimant or some circumstance that casts doubt on the
hero’s victory. Suspense and tension are increased by this last-minute
obstacle. A spot for this development is embedded in the traditional wedding
ceremony, where the celebrant says to the congregation if there is anyone who
has grounds to object to the wedding. If the hero can stand up to this final
test of false claims, he or she is truly qualified for the prize.
This one is a bit tricky to pinpoint in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. While no one takes credit
for Harry’s victory over Voldemort, Gryffindor is still in last place for the
competition for the House Cup. Instead, Slytherin is in the lead at the end of
the year feast. By all appearances, Harry’s victory will go unrewarded. (There
may be another, better example, but having been a long time since I’ve seen the film—or read the book for that matter—I
can’t recall a more fitting instance of this function).
This is also a bit tricky to find in Stardust. Since Tristan did not defeat Lamia at the inn, she’s
still very much alive. However, after Tristan and Yvaine escape the inn, Prince
Septimus discovers the existence of the star. He already wants the kingdom, as
evidenced by his search for the ruby, but, with the star’s heart, he could rule
forever. He then pursues that objective.
25. Difficult Task: The
princess (or her father) sets a difficult task for the hero, or the hero must
compete with the false claimant to do the task. A series of three tasks is not
uncommon.
The climax of a story may be a complex passage in which the
hero is tested on many levels. “Trebling” or repeating things three times is a
fairy tale divide that says something is important or difficult. Three represents
completeness, signifying that the hero must master life on all its levels. The
repetition also serves to create rhythm and suspense.
A set of three tasks is a good technique for fattening up a
plot, but in modern narrative, we are usually trying to accelerate at this
point and introducing three obstacles at the last minute may be ill-advised.
Threefold tasks are common in fairy tales and myths around the world and can be
inserted at many points in the narrative, not just the final moment.
When Aladdin returns to the palace, he has to face off with
Jafar in an attempt to save Jasmine and retrieve the lamp.
Compared to the last function, this one is easy to spot.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione enter the third floor corridor in order to stop Snape
from taking the Sorcerer’s Stone. They face the three-headed dog, the Devil’s
Snare plant, the room of keys, the giant wizard’s chess board, and finally, the
Mirror of Erised.
This function is best served when Victoria, at the beginning
of the story, demands that Tristan find the star and bring it back to her.
Though he finds the star, the difficulty is bringing her back to Wall, since
Lamia also wants the star, and the star wears the Royal Ruby of Stormhold,
which two princes are pursuing.
26. Solution: The
hero manages to perform the difficult task, often with the aid of a magical
helper or agent.
The hero could fail at this point, which would turn the
story into a tragedy. However, this outcome is rare in fairy tales and the hero
usually prevails. Sometimes, the victory is the result of calling on all the
experiences of the journey. The hero shows that he or she has internalized
useful qualities picked up from all the other characters encountered on the
journey, proving that he or she has learned something and changed.
The hero can call on the aid of a magical helper or object
at the critical moment. (Note from me: if you use this device, be sure that the
hero earned the help, that it isn’t a deus
ex machina)
Using his cleverness, Aladdin tricks Jafar into becoming a genie. Jafar is then trapped inside his own lamp, which Genie quickly sends to the Cave of Wonders.
Harry, with the help of Ron and Hermione, makes it past all
of the challenges that lie beyond the trap door. And then, because of
Dumbledore’s clever design, Harry manages to take the Sorcerer’s Stone before
Voldemort can get his hands on it. Then, Harry defeats Voldemort because of the
pure magic of love versus the corrupted magic of evil.
Tristan manages to find the star using the Babylon candle
his mother left him.
27. Recognition: The
hero is recognized because he or she was able to perform the task or because
someone sees the brand or token (see Branding in part 5 of this subseries)
proving that he or she defeated the villain.
Story tellers have known for thousands of years that
recognition scenes can trigger powerful emotions in the characters and the
audience. They were a standard feature of Greek and Roman novels and plays, as
childhood sweethearts would be separated for many years, kidnapped by pirates,
enslaved, etc. only to recognize one another and be united at the climax.
There is something primal in the recognition scene, as the
hero casts off a disguise and stands revealed in his or her true identity. On a
psychological level, old masks of identity, illusions, and defenses are
discarded so the real self can shine through.
Upon defeating Jafar, Jasmine is more than thrilled to have
Aladdin back, and neither her or her father care that he’s not a prince. He’s
won their trust and their love despite the fact he is not who he claimed to be.
Even though Slytherin is in the lead for the House Cup,
Dumbledore recognizes the efforts of Harry and his friends, giving them points
for their cleverness and bravery.
When Tristan finally returns to Wall for Victoria’s birthday,
he plans to give her a lock of Yvaine’s hair, proof that he found the star. She
recognizes his achievement and promises to marry him, even though that’s no
longer what he wants.
One more post before we’re done! Then I think I’ll do a post
each, looking at Aladdin, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,
and Stardust, so you can see how all
the different functions fit together. And then I’ll do at least one other post,
using The Princess Bride as an
example.
Read the previous post in the series: Propp's Functions, Part 6
Read the next post in the series: Propp's Functions, Part 8
Read a summary of all Propp's functions in the Introduction to Propp's Fairy Tale Functions
###
Read the previous post in the series: Propp's Functions, Part 6
Read the next post in the series: Propp's Functions, Part 8
Read a summary of all Propp's functions in the Introduction to Propp's Fairy Tale Functions
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