Magic Tales: The Heroes

Magic Tales: The Male Hero

• The youngest son, if there is more than one son.

• He has parents, quite often both a father and a mother.

• He is passive and helpless. He cannot go on until a helper tells him what to do and where to go.

• He always disobeys orders. When he does what he is not supposed to do, the tale moves forward.

• Baba Yaga is more often helper than enemy.

• He finds a bride and brings her back with him.

Magic Tales: The Female Hero

• She is often an orphan. Her mother is usually dead. Her father is absent or dead. She has a stepmother and usually 2 stepsisters, both older.

• She is active. She takes her life into her own hands.

• She can obey instructions.

• She knows what to do before being told, or how to do it once she’s told.

• Baba Yaga is more likely to be an antagonist.

• She finds a dowry and a groom finds her.