Fairy tales are the most popular type of folklore; an amazing art world is created in them, which reveals all the possibilities of this genre in full. When we say “fairy tale”, we often mean a magical story that fascinates children from a very young age. What charms her listeners / readers? Let's try to understand this and thus highlight the main features of a fairy tale.
Fiction is the main feature
The most important feature of a fairy tale is that its world and all events are based solely on fiction. Enumerating the signs of a fairy tale, one should start with the ability to tear the reader from everyday life and transfer him to a fictional world that does not resemble the real one. Because the boundaries of space and time are erased in the fairy-tale world, and there are many examples of this: the fiftieth state, which is located far away from the earth, or the countdown, which is calculated in the magic system by such concepts as a lot and a little.
Fairytale time is a circle that closes on itself. A fairy tale begins in a magical world, a space where the laws of physics that are familiar to us do not work and time is calculated according to completely different rules. Take, for example, the most common and favorite technique used in fairy tales - triple repetition (which by importance takes the leading place in the classification of “signs of a fairy tale”). It is usually used at the very beginning of fabulous events and allows you to slow down the development of actions. The finale, on the contrary, is accelerating; by the way, it is always happy and often ends in a wedding.
Fascinating story
What signs of a fairy tale can be highlighted yet? The plot of a fairy tale is fascinating and very complex. It consists of episodes that are directly related to the main character and his mission. The hero receives a task of a high level of complexity, for the fulfillment of which they promise to shower him with gold, marry the princess, or fulfill any desire. Tasks can range from the search and extraction of an exotic item to the elimination of any super-powerful and powerful creature. And here in the fairy tale the most interesting begins - the journey, which is also traditionally included in the list of "signs of a fairy tale."
It's time to go path
The main character goes to distant and uncharted lands and overcomes various obstacles and difficulties along the way. In a difficult journey, he wins with good deeds the hearts of his comrades who promise to help him in a difficult task. Together, thanks to cunning, they defeat the ill-wishers, who are many found on the way to the main goal.
By the way, characters in fairy tales are divided into two groups. One of them includes the main character along with his assistants, and the other includes the assistants of the main enemy and himself. Initially, the enemy is much stronger than the main character, and in the course of unfolding events, his advantage may also increase. But the main character always finds out about the enemy’s weak spot and how to defeat him.
Surprise effect
But with the capabilities of the protagonist, things are different: at the beginning they are significantly downplayed. Signs of the tale include the mandatory presence of central and secondary characters, their characteristics. Nicknames of the protagonist can talk about weak mental abilities, his social status sometimes also leaves much to be desired. Thus, the effect of surprise is achieved.
When all the side characters - strong, smart and skillful - fail to complete the difficult task, for which a reward is expected, then the main character appears, who, it seems, can not cope. But still they give him a chance, so as not to discriminate. This turn of events can be attributed to the category of "signs of a folk tale."
Thanks to his courage and good deeds during the trip, the main character receives various unique magical items or makes friends whom he saves from imminent death. They often become talking animals, which later help in completing tasks with their ideas or participate in actions themselves.
Miracles in fairy tales are simply necessary. With their help, various phenomena can be explained, such as transformations into different creatures, instantaneous movements over any distances, and the victory of a weak positive hero over a strong negative. All of the above can be described as signs of a folk tale.
Moral implication
A fairy tale gives lessons and develops the correct moral and ethical values. The actions of the protagonist show how a good person should be: he performs noble deeds and does not expect any reward for them. Thus, the fairy tale instructs on the right path of life and gives a positive example to the little reader. Good must necessarily conquer evil, justice must triumph - the main idea of fairy tales.
All this is described in a fairy tale in a very simple, but very colorful and poetic language. The style of narration in many tales is very similar, but each of them is unique and interesting.
Poetics of magic
To summarize: what signs of a fairy tale we found? She has a special composition; there is such a technique as triple repetition; the fairy tale has unusual, magical plots in which miraculous transformations often happen; she also has negative and positive heroes, and good necessarily conquers evil.
It is not at all difficult to single out the signs of a fairy tale - it is a mandatory inclusion in the content of a certain installation of fiction that will determine the poetics of the fairy tale. Two parallel worlds exist in it - the real and the magical, into which the hero falls from the real. In the fairy tale, the motive of the journey is traced, during which the main character has to go through many trials and overcome obstacles. Also, in a fairy tale, a hero is often helped by some magical assistant or accompanies him to his cherished goal. Often, the main character is given a gift of various magic items for a good deed.