0. Initial situation

Disciplines > Storytelling > Propp's Morphology of the Folk Tale > 0. Initial situation

Description | Discussion | See also

Next: 1. Absentation: Someone goes missing

Description

Symbol: α (alpha)

Some context is given for the story, with the hero and the family being introduced.

Example

In Star Wars, there is a garage sale on Tattooine, with Luke ferreting around like any home-grown boy.

Discussion

This provides the initial state from which change arises. Typically it is a scene of calm or normal family dynamics, before the introduction of the villain and the trials and tribulation that will face the hero.