29. Transfiguration: Hero is given a new appearance

Disciplines > Storytelling > Propp's Morphology of the Folk Tale > 29. Transfiguration: Hero is given a new appearance

Description | Discussion | See also

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Description

Symbol: T

In recognition of the hero's acknowledged achievements, they are transformed in some way to befit their new status. This may well be done through clothing, with new garments, a splendid cloak, and so on. Their wounds are dressed and their bodies cleansed. Whereas they may well have arrived tattered and dirty, they now are clean and attractive.

Example

In Star Wars, Luke get cleaned up and is given a nice yellow jacket.

Discussion

This transfiguration is again symbolic of the rebirth of the hero from rugged and perhaps unattractive adventurer to wholesome and shiny new figure to whom any father would bequeath his daughter and any mother would welcome as a son-in-law. Wearing of culturally aligned and meaningful clothing also puts the hero on a plinth, making them god-like in the eyes of the adoring populace.