What heroines of Russian fairy tales are worth taking an example

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

These are not victims of the patriarchal system, but strong, wise, realized women.

Contrary to popular belief, real Russian fairy tales are not at all about female submissiveness. But the problem is that most of the works have come down to us in edited form.

"Pure" folklore in Russia began to be massively collected only in the 19th century, and these findings often shocked the public. Fairy tales seemed seditious, cruel and blasphemous. To get around censorship, it was necessary to resort to editorial processing. In the process, huge fragments were removed from the text, often disrupting the essence of the narrative. So the themes of death, sexuality, the root causes of phenomena disappeared, and the connections with the rites and taboos of the past became almost indistinguishable. Everything has been cleaned up to make the product interesting to a wide range of readers. And fairy tales turned into entertaining stories with schematic plots and eccentric characters.

Fortunately, materials recorded without edits have survived to this day. The most popular author of such collections is Alexander Nikolaevich Afanasyev. The works collected by him are available both in the style of folk storytellers and in an adapted and not greatly distorted version. They are worth reading for anyone interested in folklore and willing to see it as something more than a list of outdated clichés.

It is in such unedited fairy tales that you can find heroines from whom you want to take an example.

1. Vasilisa from the fairy tale "Vasilisa the Beautiful"

Vasilisa is a typical example of a selfmade woman. As a girl, she remains without a mother and grows up under the control of an evil stepmother until she sends her stepdaughter to certain death to Baba-Yaga.

Near the hut of the witch, Vasilisa sees a palisade of human bones and skulls. Realizing that they don't wait at home and have nowhere to go, the heroine pulls herself together, suppresses fear and hires herself as a servant. Over time, she becomes Yaga's right hand, masters secret crafts, and upon "dismissal" she receives a gift - a skull with glowing eyes. Then comes the time of reckoning.

Matured Vasilisa returns home and uses her skull to burn her offenders alive. And then he runs to the city. There the girl does not sit idly by, but is engaged in weaving. The matter created by Vasilisa is so thin that the king soon learns about the craftswoman. He appreciates her work and beauty and gives not only a large state order for a batch of shirts, but also a hand and heart to boot.

Vasilisa marries a star of the industry and a man with connections in the other world. Such a union does honor to a man who, thanks to an influential wife, rises above the laws of world order.

What does the fairy tale teach

Work on yourself, become the best in the profession, acquire the necessary connections, not get hung up on marriage and grow thanks to your skills.

2. Elena the Wise from the fairy tale of the same name

A soldier releases an unclean spirit from prison. The devil first helps out his liberator in alterations, and then sends him to his palace to look after his daughters. They run away from home every night, and the soldier decides to follow them. Turning into one of these absences, the protagonist sees Elena the Wise for the first time.

She is a princess with assets and real estate in an overseas country. Moreover, the girl is also a star for the layer of the world's intellectual elite. For the sake of the opportunity to learn her wisdom, every night not only the soldier's wards run away from home, but also hundreds of other princesses from all corners of Java and Navi. Elena, of course, is in no hurry to get married and invests all the time in the development of her brain and professional skills.

The main character falls in love and decides to fight for Elena's heart. This may cost him his life, because the claim to the hand of a girl from another social stratum is perceived as a grandiose insolence. And only after overcoming all trials, the hero marries the princess in order to live in perfect harmony, despite the misalliance.

What does the fairy tale teach

It reminds of the evolutionary principle: each person seeks to get the most status and prestigious partner of all available. That is, to get the best groom, being beautiful is important, but not enough. You need brains, a place in society and a good personal material base.

3. Marya Morevna from the fairy tale of the same name

This tale destroys patriarchal stereotypes from the very beginning. After the death of his parents, the protagonist Ivan Tsarevich has three sisters in his care. And he does not force them to marry, but appeals to their decisions and responsibilities.

When all three sisters are attached, Ivan Tsarevich decides to live for himself and sets off to wander. On the way, he sees a battlefield. The dying knight reports: "All this great army was beaten by Marya Morevna, the beautiful princess." The intrigued hero goes to look at the warrior - and falls in love.

Ivan Tsarevich concludes his marriage with Marya Morevna in the same field after languid nights in her tent. And then he does not take his wife to him, but goes after her. Because the spouse is engaged in public service, her career is more important, and her contribution to the family budget is greater. Even the offense, because of which Koschey breaks free, is committed not by a curious woman, but by a bored unemployed husband.

In the end of the tale, Ivan corrects his mistakes. But he succeeds only thanks to the intervention of werewolf sons-in-law. When all the trials are over, the hero from idleness switches to activity and begins to make good together with his wife.

What does the fairy tale teach

Independence, including financial, self-reliance and strength. After all, the maiden-warrior Marya Morevna crushes the armies of opponents, rules her own kingdom, keeps Koshchei in shackles and gets married already sexually experienced. She chooses her husband on her own, according to her heart, and not according to the size of his kingdom.

4. Nastenka from the fairy tales "Daughter and Stepdaughter" and "Morozko"

The main character's mother dies. The father marries again and brings a woman with a daughter from his first marriage to the house. New relatives scoff at Nastenka and, when the opportunity arises, send her to freeze in the forest. However, in spite of all deaths, Nastenka returns home - and with gifts and a groom. Unlike her half-sister Marfushi.

When interpreting this tale, it is important to look not at the plot outline, but at the historical context. "Frost" and "Daughter and Stepdaughter" refer to works that describe the rites of passage. Thousands of years ago, to be recognized as an adult, a person had to go through trials, overcome basic instincts and show a willingness to sacrifice himself for the interests of the community. Of course, not everyone survived.

Nastenka copes not out of modesty and kindness, but through careful preparation and communication skills. Marfushi did not have all of this, who refuses the help of a mouse (a symbolic otherworldly assistant), defies Moroz Ivanovich and, having insufficiently estimated the level of danger, takes on too many risks. She is not greedy or stupid, but unprepared.

What does the fairy tale teach

Respect the rules and embark on a dangerous journey prepared. Look for allies and build relationships on the basis of mutual benefit: help the first, so that later they will help you.

5. Alyonushka from the tale "Robbers"

Alyonushka could be called a victim of patriarchal stereotypes, if not for her active life position.

When the girl's parents leave and leave her alone for the night, a robber enters the house. By cunning, Alyonushka gets rid of him, but later becomes the object of revenge of his friends. The bandits mislead the heroine's mother and father, and they force their daughter to marry one of the gang. But Alyonushka runs away from her husband, returns home and hands over the criminals to law enforcement agencies.

This tale captures certain social norms. According to them, the girl, having spent the night with a man even against her will, was forced to marry in order to avoid shame. And it was not always possible to check the trustworthiness of the groom due to the lack of communication facilities and undeveloped transport links. Often the husband was a cat in a poke before the start of life together.

However, despite the conservatism and patriarchy of society, some managed to get away from a cruel husband even in ancient times. The sequence of actions saved, the willingness to seek help and fight with all my might.

What does the fairy tale teach

The fact that it is important to be able to stand up for yourself. Do not tolerate abuse, withdraw from dangerous relationships and do not cover up the tyrant, but bring him to justice.

6. Marya the princess from the fairy tale "Go there - I don't know where, bring that - I don't know what"

Marya the princess is an enchanted bride who cannot independently return to the world of the living. Her image refers to the marriage rites and the belief of the Slavs that a woman's real life begins only after marriage.

Marya, the shooter, her future husband, meets in the shape of a turtle dove. The potential spouse shoots her, but at the last minute he regrets, takes her to his home. There, the heroine changes her appearance and appears as a beautiful girl who becomes a faithful and wise wife.

Marya the princess is grateful for her salvation. She works a lot for the good of the family, amazes others with her loyalty and skill. Therefore, many people envy Andrei, including his boss, the king. He falls in love with Marya and dreams of destroying his subordinate in order to marry her.

But together, the spouses overcome all difficulties. The wisdom of the main character not only saves Andrei's life, but also raises his status: he becomes the first person in the kingdom.

What does the fairy tale teach

To be able to remain faithful and respond with gratitude to a kind attitude. When the king falls in love with Marya, she does not go to a more successful man, but remains in the family. For rational reasons. After all, Marya the princess is realized, including through her spouse, developing synchronously with him. In this case, betrayal becomes a game against one's own interests: in case of failure, you will have to start all over again, and this is ruinous, given the short life of our ancestors.

7. Princess from the fairy tale "The Frog Princess"

In the Frog Princess, known from childhood, a woman becomes the initiator of marriage. She needs marriage to achieve her goals.

Realizing that she is unlikely to please the prince in the form of a frog, the girl offers compensation. In some versions of the narrative, she brings a lost and much needed arrow. In others, he voices the conditions in a human voice and promises magical support after the wedding.

As in the previous tale, the princess becomes everyone's wife to the envy of everyone. But they envy the prince not only because of the beauty and secular qualities of the spouse. A woman invests in relationships, supports her husband, helps him in career advancement. Her connections and abilities make the marriage beneficial to each of the parties and therefore stable.

But the tale is not only about this, but also about the secondary nature of beauty as a woman's dignity. Having just a pretty wife was considered stupid in ancient times. But smart, hardworking and efficient was a great success. Such girls became the prototypes of magical princesses.

What does the fairy tale teach

Adequately assess strength, remember your own interests, set favorable conditions for yourself, conclude win-win-deals and be faithful to this promise.

8. Tsar Maiden from the fairy tale "Ivan Tsarevich and Tsar Maiden"

The heroine of the tale is a princess with her own fleet and army. Riding a boat with her friends, she notices Ivan Tsarevich, the first to meet him and proposes to marry.

He is glad of luck, but circumstances are against him. He falls asleep before dating the Tsar Maiden because of the spell of his uncle's wife who is in love with him. This attitude is twice forgiven, but then the heroine refuses the fan. Ivan Tsarevich has to make a lot of efforts to regain the princess's affection.

The man in this tale is "taken for beauty." At the same time, when the groom, albeit unwittingly, nevertheless demonstrates insufficient interest, the Tsar-Maiden instantly grows cold. She gives several chances and, not seeing a change in the behavior of a loved one, she removes herself.

For the sake of reconciliation, the hero embarks on a dangerous journey. It symbolizes the initiation ceremony, and its successful completion shows that the young man becomes a man and receives all the rights of an adult: property, voice and marriage. Before that, he could not get married, so he almost missed the bride. But now, although he did not equal the status with his wife, he still got the opportunity to be with her.

What does the fairy tale teach

Appreciate your own independence and not be afraid to take the first step. Do not run after an unmotivated partner and evaluate a potential spouse by actions.

9. Bogatyrka Sineglazka from "The Tale of Rejuvenating Apples and Living Water"

The heroine of the fairy tale is a successful warrior. In her possessions, rejuvenating apples grow and rivers with living and dead water flow. Ivan Tsarevich finds out about this and in the night tries to steal some of these resources, enlisting the support of Sineglazka's relatives.

Seeing the sleeping hero, the main character cannot help kissing. The princess wakes up and sets off in pursuit. Through members of her family, the warrior tries to find out about the whereabouts of the offender, but the relatives cover up for Ivan Tsarevich. Despite this, the thief is overtaken and forced into a duel, which he loses. So, symbolically, Ivan Tsarevich gives tribute to the talents of a woman, gives her leadership. Sineglazka, in turn, does not marry the strongest for protection or the richest for the sake of money, but for the one who, albeit weaker, is sympathetic to her. The choice "to marry or to cut off the head" remains with her.

After the duel, the heroes spend several nights together and part on the initiative of the princess for three years. During this time, Sineglazka manages to give birth and raise two sons of Ivan Tsarevich and transfer part of the management of his kingdom. Having finished important matters, she goes to the possession of her husband, who by that time is in trouble.

Thanks to the help of his wife, Ivan Tsarevich punishes his offenders and reigns on the throne. The couple live happily ever after. It is their love that unites them, not the need or the need to put the children on their feet. A man gets a faithful and strong companion, and a woman gets freedom within the union and the dominant right to vote.

What does the fairy tale teach

Marry for love, not for convenience. Do not leave your spouse in trouble, be sympathetic to his shortcomings and unite in times of difficulty, working as a team.