Manifestations of trifunctional ideology in A. S. Pushkin’s “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”
EDN: SOQCZM
Abstract
“The Tale of Tsar Saltan” by A. S. Pushkin seems to follow the laws of the traditional fairy tale plot so carefully and to combine motifs so carefully that it can be — with some caution — considered an analogue of a real oral fairy tale. Overall, the plot of the tale corresponds to ATU 707, combining motifs from different variants and including some details from other oral stories and early literary sources. In this tale, the abundant triadic structures attract attention. The article suggests considering them within the framework of the tripartite (trifunctional) approach of G. Dumézil. Three marvels — a squirrel gnawing on golden nuts with emerald kernels, 33 sea knights guarding the island, and a beautiful SwanPrincess — can be understood as the embodiments of the economic, military and sovereign functions. By analogy, the same can be said about the three sisters — the Cook, the Weaver and the Tsarina (Queen). At the same time, there is a contamination with the plot of “The Judgement of Paris”, in which the hero’s choice falls on Aphrodite, the bearer of the third function. In addition, the article briefly discusses insects, birds, plants and the young as weakened carriers of references to the three Indo-European functions.
Keywords
Pushkin,
“The Tale of Tsar Saltan”,
Dumézil,
trifunctional ideology,
comparative mythology,
Indo-European tradition,
triad
Supporting agencies: The author acknowledges the support of Saint Petersburg State University for research project no.129600833.
About the Author
F. N. Dviniatin
Saint Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Fedor Nikitich Dviniatin Cand. Sci. (Philology) Assistant Professor, Departme
199034, Saint Petersburg, Universitetskaya Emb., 7–9
nt of Russian Language
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For citations:
Dviniatin F.N. Manifestations of trifunctional ideology in A. S. Pushkin’s “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”. Shagi / Steps. 2026;12(2):308–324. (In Russ.) EDN: SOQCZM
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