A Comparative Morphological Analysis of Persian and Turkish Folktales Based on Vladimir Propp’s Structural Model (Case Study: Iranian Folktales, Volume One and Folktales of the Land of Shahriar)

Abstract

Folktales, as an important component of oral culture and literature, reflect the beliefs, values, worldviews, and ways of life of societies. The present study aimed to comparatively analyze the narrative structures of Persian and Turkish folktales and to examine the extent to which they conform to Vladimir Propp’s morphological model. Methodologically, this study employed a qualitative research design with an analytical-comparative approach. The research corpus comprised folktales from two collections: Iranian Folktales, Volume One, compiled by Mohammad Qasemzadeh, and Folktales of the Land of Shahriar, compiled by Jafar Kouhi. Data were collected through documentary and library-based research, with each narrative treated as a unit of analysis. The structure of the folktales was then examined according to Propp’s 31 narrative functions and seven spheres of action, and the narratives were compared in terms of the presence, omission, repetition, integration, and displacement of these functions. The findings revealed that, despite linguistic and cultural differences, folktales in both collections frequently follow a shared underlying pattern involving the emergence of a lack or harm, the hero’s departure, exposure to a test, receipt of assistance, struggle, victory, liquidation of the initial lack, and return. Nevertheless, the narratives do not conform completely or mechanically to Propp’s classical model; rather, depending on their cultural and narrative contexts, certain functions are omitted, repeated, or integrated with one another. The Iranian folktales exhibit a more coherent structure and closer correspondence with Propp’s classical model, whereas the folktales from the Land of Shahriar are shorter, more condensed, and structurally simpler, with certain narrative roles, such as those of the helper and donor, merged into a single character. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Propp’s theory provides an appropriate framework for the comparative analysis of Persian and Turkish folktales; however, its application should take into account the indigenous, cultural, and linguistic characteristics of the narratives as well as their modes of transmission.