Examination of Fariba Vafi's Novels based on the Structuralism Theory of Vladmir Propp

Structuralist criticism examines the literary text as an independent entity. In the following essay, Propp's model is applied for the structuralist analysis of Fariba Vafi's novels. The research problem focuses on the extent and quality of the applicability of Propp's model to the selected novels by Fariba Wafi. The purpose of this study is to explain and analyze examples related to this issue. The research method is as follows: After introducing and explaining the Propp model, selected novels by Fariba Vafi are examined to identify the seven action domains of the villain, the benefactor, the helper, the sought-after person and his father, the dispatcher, the hero (seeker or victim), and the false hero. Each of these roles is analyzed and interpreted within the context of the discussed novels. The results of this research show that most of the referenced novels feature seven areas of human action. However, the area of action associated with the false hero in Wafi's novels is weak. Additionally, some characters—particularly most of the male ones—who tend to operate within this area exhibit more personal traits that align them closer to the villain or the antagonist. Propp categorized the actions of various characters into thirty-one to thirty-three functions, which can be tested in other stories. It is important to note that sixteen of these functions from Propp's model appear in the works of Fariba and Vefi. Additionally, the perspectives of Algirdas Greimas can be utilized to further analyze these behaviors.
Introduction
Russian structuralist Vladimir Propp gathered about 100 fairy tales from Russian literature and compared their elements. He identified recurring elements, which he called "functions" or "special roles," and found thirty-one such functions in these stories. Propp's most important contribution is explaining the relationships between these functions. He believed that the deep structures of these stories remain consistent, although they may change in form. In this context, the only aspect that changes is the method of transmission from one story to another. For example, there is a son in every family who eventually becomes a father himself. The structure remains unchanged (the concept of being a "father" or "not being" one), but through "transmission" (the former son, now having a son, becomes the current father).
Materials and Methods:
The research method in this study is descriptive-analytical. First, the resources related to morphology and Propp's pattern were reviewed. After analyzing the data, they were found to align with the methods, elements, and theoretical foundations of Propp's pattern. In the next step, by studying and reading Fariba Vafi's novels, we further examined and clarified these findings.
Results and Discussion:
The analysis of stories and novels by indexed writers from a structuralist point of view has garnered considerable attention among researchers. Structuralism initially began with the study of language structure but later developed and expanded to include anthropological and mythological themes. In structuralism, after identifying and introducing the most important structural units, researchers attempt to understand the interactions between these units and how they are arranged. However, determining the smallest unit is often the most challenging part. Structural analysis is an empirical method based on testing, which can be evaluated for its accuracy. Structuralist theory has had a significant impact on culture, with its peak exemplified in Propp's morphology of fairy tales. Structuralists found that language is a social structure, and each culture creates and transforms narratives or texts to achieve semantic structures; in this way, people can organize and give meaning to their experiences.
Structuralism is a theory originally developed by Ferdinand de Saussure and later systematically applied in literature and art by Vladimir Propp and Claude Lévi-Strauss. Structuralism involves removing the apparent procedures of works to reveal their fundamental relationships and common underlying structures. In essence, structuralism seeks to identify the immutable elements beneath surface distinctions. This article analyzes four novels by Fariba Vafi (Razi in the Streets, Full Moon, Tarlan, and Tibet's Dream) using structure-oriented criticism with an emphasis on Vladimir Propp's ideas. The results indicate that Propp's patterns and models are present in most of these novels, although the role of the "false hero" character is minimal in the works examined.
Conclusion
In this research, an attempt is made to analyze the narrative function of Fariba Vafi's work based on Propp's model. After introducing Propp's framework and referencing Fariba Vafi, seven spheres of action are identified: 1) the villain, 2) the donor (provider), 3) helpers (providers), 4) the seeker and father, 5) the dispatcher, 6) the hero (or victim), and 7) the false hero. These roles are analyzed and interpreted with relevant examples. The results of the present study can be summarized as follows;
Among the seven functions of Propp's character types, all of his novels include the wicked person and the hero (i.e., search or sacrifice). Regarding the other functions, such as the "generous" character, most novels feature them as well. However, the presence of the false hero is very limited. Some characters inclined toward this role—such as most male characters in the novel—exhibit more traits than the wicked person or the hero. In total, 30 of Propp's 31 functions are utilized in Fariba Vafi's works.