Fairy-tale hero wolf. Animals in Russian folk tales - images and prototypes

Wolf's image
Russian folk
fairy tales
Vekshin Yaroslav 3a class

Purpose of the study
The goal of my research was to understand why
The wolf in fairy tales is always depicted differently. That
like a stupid and narrow-minded animal, then how
faithful friend and assistant, then both creepy and
evil enemy.
Let's try to figure it all out.

It is not in vain that the wolves are shrouded in a peculiar aura of mystery
became heroes of legends and horror films, songs and novels.
They are credited with mystical abilities and incredible strength.
Which, strictly speaking, they don’t have. Yes, wolves can smell prey
or each other at a distance of 1.5 km, and if necessary, they
many hours will pass without fatigue.
Besides the fact that wolves are still one of the most dangerous
predators (yes!), they also make a huge contribution to the cleansing
territory of their residence from the sick, weak and even dead
animals. It was not for nothing that they were given such a nickname.

All over the world, people tell stories to entertain each other.
Sometimes fairy tales help you understand what is bad in life, and
what well. Fairy tales appeared long before the invention of books, and
even writing.
In fairy tales about animals, they argue, talk, and
animals quarrel, love, are friends, are at enmity: the cunning “fox”
there is beauty in conversation”, stupid and greedy “wolf-wolf - from under a bush
grabby", "gnawing mouse", "cowardly bunny - bow-legged,
skok slide." All this is implausible, fantastic.
The appearance of various characters in Russian fairy tales about animals
initially determined by the circle of representatives of the animal
peace, which is typical for our territory. That's why
It is natural that in fairy tales about
animals we meet with the inhabitants of forests, fields, steppes
open spaces (bear, wolf, fox, wild boar, hare, hedgehog, etc.). IN
In fairy tales about animals, animals themselves are the main characters -
characters, and the relationship between them determines the character
fairy tale conflict.

In fairy tales about animals one of
the main characters are
wolf. It's straight
the opposite of the image
foxes. In fairy tales the wolf is stupid, he
easy to deceive. No, it seems
such trouble, no matter what
this unlucky guy got caught
an eternally beaten beast. So,
the fox advises the wolf to catch
fish, lowering the tail into the hole.
The goat offers to the wolf
open your mouth and stand under
mountain so he can jump into
mouth The goat knocks over
wolf and runs away (fairy tale “Wolf-
fool"). The image of a wolf in fairy tales
always hungry and lonely. He
always gets into something funny
ridiculous situation.

However, in the ancients
cultures image of a wolf
associated with death
that's why in fairy tales this
animal character
often eats someone
("The wolf and the seven Young goats")
or disturbs the peace
animal life (“Zimovie”
animals"). But in the end they are good
fairy tale characters
Russian fairy tales always
cheat or win
wolf For example, the wolf in
fairy tale "Little Fox-Sister"
and the wolf" remains without a tail.

"... meets young
warrior gray wolf..." This
also a symbol. The symbol itself
Perun. Mighty Storm God,
God of justice, light and
military valor,
appearing on earth
prefers the appearance of a wolf.
Wolf-Perun is wise, brave and
very fast. It's on him
other fairy tales Ivan Tsarevich
covers huge
distances. Moreover, Perun
becoming a knight is not easy
friend, but also brother. ABOUT
what does this say? That,
having himself as a brother
Peruna, Russian hero
capable of crushing anyone
whatever.

So now let's think
why is there a wolf in all fairy tales
so different? For this you need
remember that fairy tales were originally
no one wrote it down, they
were transmitted exclusively from
word of mouth. And only in a narrow circle.
It's impossible to imagine that
some merchant's son was listening
a fairy tale from an ordinary peasant.
Who could be afraid of wolves?
That's right, peasants. Wolves
could attack livestock, people,
and the peasants could suffer from this
terrible losses. For these people
a terrible wolf, that's in their fairy tales
he was scary, but still
conquerable. Yes, and peasants
children were told such tales,
so that it is discouraging to go into the forest
walk "will come gray top
and bites you on the side.”

The gray wolf occupied almost the entire territory of Eurasia, the Arabian Peninsula and Indochina 200 years ago.

In addition, the animals lived in North America. But today these predators are no longer in the United States, and in Europe they are found only in Russia and northern Spain. In Asia, the gray wolf is also found, but not everywhere: in Turkey, Mongolia, Central Asia and in China. But in Canada, Siberia and Alaska there are quite a lot of these animals.

The “gray” species consists of 30 subspecies. Predators living in the northern regions are much larger than their southern counterparts. Canadian individuals grow to 140-160 centimeters, and in height they reach 85 centimeters. The length of the tail reaches 30-50 centimeters. They weigh at least 38 kilograms, the average weight is 55 kilograms. European brothers weigh no more than 40 kilograms, and gray wolves living in Turkey weigh 25 kilograms, representatives living in Pakistan and Iran weigh even less - 13 kilograms. Males are approximately 15% larger than females.

Appearance of a gray wolf

The gray wolf has fluffy and dense fur. From severe frosts predators are warmed by a short undercoat, which resembles down in its structure.

The wool is coarse and long, it also serves as protection from the cold, and it does not get wet. The longest hair grows on the neck and in front of the back. The length of hair on these parts of the body reaches 110-130 millimeters. The ears are framed with short and elastic fur. The same fur is found on the paws. The length of the hair on the back of the back and sides does not exceed 70 millimeters. The fur is so warm that these predators practically do not feel the frost of 40 degrees.

When a gray wolf buries its muzzle into the ground, its warm breath prevents frost from forming on the hairs. U southern residents the fur is much rarer and coarser than that of the northerners.

The color has a large number of shades. Gray wolves living in Alaska are light in color, sometimes dark beige. Taiga wolves have gray-brown skin.

Predators living in the Mongolian steppes and Central Asia have a light red color. In some areas, completely black or dark brown predators live. But the most common color is dark gray. Wolves with such fur are found in the south and north. There is no difference between the color of females and males.

Behavior and nutrition of the gray wolf

Gray wolves know how to dig holes, but they do not like this activity, so they often make a den in thickets or crevices between rocks. These predators live in steppes and forest-steppe areas. They enter the forest extremely rarely.

The diet mainly consists of ungulates: roe deer, saigas. IN southern regions Gray wolves hunt antelope. Pets can also fall prey to these predators.

Gray wolves attack people quite often. These animals engage in cannibalism. They also eat carrion. They enjoy hunting arctic foxes, foxes and rodents. Predators do not refuse wild fruits and berries. A gray wolf can go without food for 2 weeks.

Listen to the voice of the gray wolf

These animals have excellent physical characteristics. While running, they can accelerate to 65 kilometers per hour. But at this pace they can run no more than 20 minutes. In search of food, these hunters travel up to 60 kilometers.

Gray wolves hunt large animals in packs, with some waiting in ambush, while others chase prey into it. If the chase continues for a long time, then predators replace each other. This indicates that gray wolves have high intelligence.

Representatives of the family live in flocks, the number of which reaches 40 individuals. This society is controlled by a dominant couple. After the couple, on the hierarchical step there are her close relatives, mostly young individuals who have not reached sexual maturity. The next step is occupied by wolves who have joined the pack. Children are at the lowest level.

Basically, the dominant female is responsible for procreation. Upon reaching sexual maturity, young animals leave the flock and form own family. Marriages are never formed between brothers and sisters. Gray wolves look for partners on the side.

Reproduction and lifespan

These animals are monogamous, they form pairs for life. There are fewer females than males, so it is easier for females to find a partner. Females come into estrus at the end of winter, and pregnancy lasts 2.5 months. The female gives birth to 5-6 babies, but there can be significantly more of them in the litter, 14-16. Newborn puppies are deaf and blind, they weigh no more than 400-500 grams. 2 weeks after birth, their eyes open, and a month later their teeth erupt.

At 1.5 months, wolf cubs stand confidently on their feet. The mother does not leave her puppies for 2 months. At this time, the male is engaged in obtaining food. He makes a sacrifice, the female eats it, and regurgitates food for the babies. Puppies begin to eat solid food at one month of age. Puppies grow quickly and at the 5th month of life they catch up with their parents in size. In females puberty occurs at 2 years, and in males 1 year later. The lifespan of these predators is about 15 years.

The problem of how the people (in our case, the Russian people) reflect themselves is most likely far from being resolved. The purpose of this article is to consider how the images of the wolf and fox in Russian folk tales reflect mythological thinking Russian person. At the same time, we decided to turn to fairy tales about animals - the most ancient fairy tale fund. The material used was the famous three-volume book by A.N. Afanasyev, which, with all its abbreviations and distortions, is the most authoritative edition of Russian folk tales (1957, vol. I; in parentheses we further denote the pages of the specified publication). The main attention was paid primarily to those fairy tales where the wolf and the fox act as the main characters. We did not consider the famous “Tale of Ivan Tsarevich, the Firebird and the Gray Wolf,” although it more than obviously shows the loyalty and nobility of this beast (the gray wolf in this tale, having actually done all the work for Ivan Tsarevich and having returned his life, goes into the shadows and is not even mentioned in the finale - see: I, 423).

Why did you decide to turn to fairy tales about animals - and above all to fairy tales about the wolf and the fox? – These tales were created in very ancient times and, in their origin, are associated with totemism - the worldview primitive hunters, who considered certain animals sacred and believed in their supernatural connection with their kind (V. Propp 1957: XIY). There is no doubt that the images of the wolf and the fox are also included in the totemic ideas of the Slavs.

So how does the wolf appear in Russian folk tales?

A wolf in a relationship with a fox almost always:

- simple-minded (The wolf slept, slept, but got hungry and wandered off to the hut. “Ah, that’s a disaster!” the wolf screamed. “Ah, that’s a disaster! Who ate the butter, made the oatmeal?” And the fox: “Little wolf dove! At me don’t think about it." – “Come on, godfather! Who would think about you!” – 18);

- naive and trusting (The wolf went to the river, lowered his tail into the hole; it was winter. He sat and sat, sat for the whole night, his tail was frozen; he tried to get up, but that was not the case. “Eka “How many fish have fallen in, and you won’t be able to get them out!” he thinks. - 3; The wolf fell asleep carelessly, and the fox ran into a nearby apiary, stole a honeycomb, ate it, and drank all over the wolf with its wax. Having woken up and been exposed, the wolf confessed that he himself does not remember how this happened, but after such clear evidence he is guilty and very willingly obeys the sentence of the little fox-sister, so that at the first catch he will not have a share in it, but will give it all to the fox. - 7);

- is compassionate and believes more in words than in the evidence of unseemly actions (“Is that what you teach? They beat me all over!” - “Eh, little kumanyok,” says the little fox-sister, “at least you’re bleeding, but I have a brain , they beat me harder than you; I’m dragging along.” - “And it’s true,” says the wolf, “where should you go, gossip; sit on me, I’ll take you” - 4; The wolf refused for a long time, finally agreed. - 9 );

- suffers from his own gullibility (And the men saw the deceived wolf with a frozen tail on the pond and killed him. - 4; The women came, and they killed the wolf, and the fox ran away. - 18);

Ends his life sadly:

- as a single biryuk (The biryuk just foolishly stuck his head in - and the trap clicked and grabbed him by the muzzle. - 43; The goat and the fox covered him with a board, and the biryuk burned - 77; see also: The old bread and salt is forgotten - 43);

- as a fool (That’s how the gray wolf died his life! - 80; fairy tale “The Fool Wolf”; Short-haired one will jump out from under and run! All seven wolves fell to the ground and after him; they caught up and well, tear him up, only clumps are flying. – 80);

– as a companion of a bear and a fox (Tales “Beasts in the Pit” – 44; “Cat and Fox” – 62; “Winter quarters of animals” – 92-93);

sometimes he gets smarter and refuses to deal with the fox (The wolf ran his paw over his belly and found that it was covered in oil. “What, little kumanek, isn’t it a shame to blame your sin on strangers? Now deny it, thief, but the reproaches are sure.” The wolf got angry, started running out of frustration and grief and did not return home.<…>The wolf himself told me this story and assured me that he would never live with the fox in the future. – 21; “No, little swan, get out of my hut so I don’t see you!” The fox left, and the wolf began to live as before and store honey. – 22).

To be fair, it should be noted that fairy tales often talk about the thriftiness of the wolf: “Once upon a time there was a godfather and a godfather - a wolf and a fox. They had a tub of honey” (16); “Once upon a time there was a wolf and a fox. The fox had an ice hut, but the wolf had a bast hut” (17); “The wolf and the fox lived in the same place. The wolf had a bark house, and the fox had an icy house” (18); “The wolf had a wooden hut, and the fox had an ice hut” (21); The fox left, and the wolf began to live as before and store honey (22).

Let us ask ourselves: representatives of what kind (ethnic group) are considered simple-hearted, trusting, compassionate among Russian people (“if he feels sorry, it means he loves”), loving the word and suffering from their gullibility? - They themselves. Representatives of which ethnic group value collectivism (conciliarity) and reason? - Russian. Let us give just one quote: “The Russian people, believed Archbishop Averky of the Russian Church Abroad, are guilty of showing themselves to be too naive and trusting of their enemies who seduced them, succumbing to their crafty propaganda and not putting up strong enough resistance” (Averky, Archbishop, Modernity in the Light of the Word of God, Vol. IY, Jordanville, 1975, pp. 97-98; cited in: O.A. Platonov 2004: 217). There is no doubt that in fairy tales about animals the wolf acts as a totem animal of the Russian people, in fact embodying all its most characteristics(a bear cannot claim such a role simply by definition, although it is strongly imposed on such a role - but this is the topic of a special study).

Our idea that the wolf is the totem animal of the Russian people is confirmed, in addition to the text of fairy tales, by the most latest works other researchers, primarily A.A. Menyailov and L.N. Ryzhkov.

A real wolf has completely different qualities than are usually attributed to it. Wed. in the linguistic and cultural dictionary “Russian cultural space": "In Russian fairy tales about animals and in author's fables, the wolf appears eternally hungry, stupid and greedy", "The wolf is a cruel and merciless predator that recognizes only strength" (Russian Cultural Space 2004: 64). In general, the wolf is usually presented as a walking stomach on four legs, according to the ironic expression of A.A. Menyailov. If we generalize the ethnographic observations of A.A. Menyailov, then the wolf:

– never attacks a person (A.A. Menyailov 2005: 63);
- unusually smart and capable of multi-way combinations(A.A. Menyailov 2005: 26);
- an extremely collective animal within a wolf pack, including hundreds and thousands of families over vast territories (A.A. Menyailov 2005: 97);
– uses mice and other rodents as its main food (it is no coincidence that in some regions of Ukraine the wolf is called the “mouse god”), wolves go out to hunt large game only in winter and only from hunger, and healthy individuals on their territory are not only they do not touch, but even protect (see: A.A. Menyailov 2005: 158, 193);
- distinguished by nobility and loyalty in family life(“If a dear friend dies, then the survivor does not enter into new sexual contacts. The widower joins full family and takes part in raising and feeding their wolf cubs as an “uncle” [A.A. Menyailov 2005: 25]);
– considers it his own worst enemy a fox and even in a hunting bag, when he sees a fox, he first catches and strangles it, and only then continues on his way (A.A. Menyailov 2005: 100),
– protects a kind and exalted person and slaughters dogs and other living creatures of priests, girls of easy virtue and dishonest people (A.A. Menyailov 2005: 73-78).

The idea of ​​the wolf as a totemic animal of an ethnic group was alive until historically recent times among many peoples. “In Georgia and during Stalin’s childhood, too, if a hunter killed a wolf, then he was ordered to put on mourning - as if for a deceased significant relative. In many nations, the wolf was supposed not to be left untidy, but to be buried without fail. And the Yakuts even buried a wolf found dead like a great shaman: they wrapped it in straw and hung it from the branches of a tree” (A.A. Menyailov 2005: 13).

Based on the coincidence of archaeological, mythological and linguistic data, L.N. Ryzhkov writes: Rome itself was founded by the Slavs “in their ancient guises from the Trojans to the Serbs of Germany, Switzerland, Zitalia, Vostria and Yugoslavia” (L.N. Ryzhkov 2002: 104). It is important to remember that the monument in Rome was erected specifically to the she-wolf - this is another manifestation of the validity of ideas about the wolf as a totemic animal of the Russians, as well as other Slavic (and, probably, many) peoples.

In connection with the above, it becomes clear that the injustice of the currently generally accepted interpretation of the Latin formula “man is a wolf to man” (homo homini lupus est) as the formula “man is a beast to man” becomes clear. In the original sense, homo homini lupus est meant man to man, i.e. Teacher with a capital letter. In linguistic terms, in relation to the concept of wolf, there is no doubt that the process of desacralization occurring over time.

In linguocultural terms, it is interesting to compare two proverbs: the English Dog eats dog (Dog eats dog) and the Latin Lupus non mordet lupum (A wolf does not bite a wolf). Behavior of the “acme” type is postulated by the second of these proverbs, which affirms the principles of collectivity and conciliarity of behavior. It is well known that when in a fight between wolves the victory of one of them becomes obvious, the defeated one exposes his neck to the enemy so that he can deliver the final blow, but the winner, growling, walks away. This behavior of wolves echoes the equally well-known Russian proverb “they don’t hit a sneeze while lying down.” In other words, latin proverbs Lupus non mordet lupum and homo homini lupus est originally contained a codex moral person: man is man's friend and teacher.

The English proverb Dog eats dog postulates the principles of democratic behavior formulated by Plato: “Everyone is at war with everyone, both in public and in privacy, and everyone [is at war] with himself.” A.F. Losev rightly called this principle the preaching of “the bestial struggle of all against all” (see: Plato 1990: 40)

In respect of moral values wolf behavior - at the level of genetic memory - the behavior of a wolf is much preferable to the behavior of a dog (the exception is Kanaka dogs, see about this: A.A. Menyailov 2005: 14-19, 265-266). Therefore, the saying “A dog is a man’s friend” is ultimately at the level genetic memory- is unlikely to be true.

Let us recall that it is the wolf that is mentioned as an example of military behavior in the words of Bui Tur Vsevolod (“Song of Igor’s Campaign”): “And Bui Tur Vsevolod said to him: one brother, one bright light you are to Igor, both are Svyatoslavl; saddles, brother, your brzyi komoni, and prepare mine, saddle them at Kursk in front; and bring my Kuryans to the snowstorm, to fly under the pipes, to wear under the helmets, to sharpen the end of the copy, to sharpen the sabers, to gallop like gray horses into the field, seeking honor for yourself, and glory for the Prince” (Chrestomathy 1974: 65). The likeness to a wolf is quite often used in this monument and when describing invulnerability in movements: “Gzak runs like a gray wolf...”, “...Igor Prince<…>rushed onto the breezy Komon, and jumped off it barefoot, and flowed towards the Donets meadow...", "...then Vlur flowed away, shaking the icy dew with itself" (Chrestomatiya 1974: 66, 70).

The limited scope of presentation does not allow us to give the image of the fox a significantly detailed description. The words of V.Ya. Propp are known: “A weak fox deceives a strong but stupid wolf and emerges victorious from all troubles” (V. Propp 1957: XIY). This judgment seems incorrect. There are several reasons.

Firstly, the fox does not always emerge victorious from all troubles, especially when it encounters fairy-tale characters other than the wolf: for example, with a rooster (Rooster for the third time: “Kukureku! I carry the scythe on my shoulders, I want to whip the fox!” Come on, fox, out! The fox ran out; he hacked her to death with a scythe and began to live with the bunny and live well and make good money" - 24, see also 25, 27), dogs (...and the dogs grabbed the fox by the tail pulled out and torn apart - 34, as well as 36, 37, 51, etc.), by a man (The man began to turn away and hit the fox on the head and killed it to death, saying: “Old bread and salt is forgotten!” – 42) , blackbird (“Well, make me laugh now.”<…>Drozd started shouting: “Grandma, grandma, bring me a piece of lard!” Grandma, grandma, bring me a piece of lard!” The dogs jumped out and tore the fox to pieces. – 46, see also 97), doggy style (They started to distill.<…>The fox turned around to look, returned with its tail, the crab unhooked and said: “And I’ve been waiting for you here for a long time” - 52), a cat and a ram (Then the fox herself came out. They and her knock on the pubis and in the box. - 57), a cat ( The fox's children began to come out to the cat, one after another; he beat them all; then the fox itself came out, he killed her too and saved the cochet from death. - 58), a bull and a ram (The fox led them to the hut.<…>The bear opened the door, and the fox jumped into the hut. The bull saw her and immediately pressed her to the wall with his horns, and the ram began to lean on her sides; out of the fox and away. – 93).

Secondly, the fox often turns out to be a victim of his own materialism: thus, punishing his own tail, he often loses his life, and there are many examples of this kind in fairy tales (“Oh, you are like that! So here you go, dogs, eat my tail!” - and stuck out her tail, and the dogs grabbed the tail and pulled out the fox herself and tore it to pieces. - 34; see also: 36, 37, 38).

Thirdly, in psychological science service to others in itself (altruism), which in fairy tales is often demonstrated by the wolf (to the fox, to Ivan Tsarevich), is assessed as a manifestation of mental health, and not at all stupidity, cf.: “We also find in the Russian psychologist A.F. Lazursky We conclude, based on careful observations, that personal health is best ensured by the ideal of selfless service to others. “Altruism,” he wrote, “in one form or another seems to be a form, a means, and an indicator of the best harmony between the individual and the environment. There are no perverts here” (B.S. Bratus 1999: 45).

Of course, perhaps, from the point of view of people for whom gullibility, openness and altruism are a manifestation of stupidity, the above judgment of V.Ya. Propp is fair, but it is hardly applicable to the ethnomythological consciousness of the Slavs (and, above all, the Russian people) and does not correspond to the opinion of many psychologists.

“A fairy tale is a lie, but there is a hint in it, good fellows lesson". What meaning does the failures and successes of the wolf acquire for a Russian person in his encounters and communication with the fox? We believe that fairy tales contain advice and warning to the bearer of the ethnomythological thinking of the Russian people - to be smart and attentive when communicating with representatives of other ethnic groups, especially with those who are characterized by fox characteristics.

A narrower interpretation of the meaning of Russian folk tales is also possible, if we take into account the gender aspects of their message (wolf is a noun male, i.e. male, and the fox female, i.e. woman). Fairy tales warn Russian men against entering into alliances with fox women. Russian folk tales contain a warning about the spiritual and materially expressed sterility and destructiveness of such unions.

Literature

Bratus B.S. Moral psychology is possible // Psychology and ethics: experience in constructing a discussion. Samara: Publishing house. House "BAKHRAH", 1999. pp. 29-48. Menyailov A.A. Look, look carefully, O wolves! / Menyailov A.A. – M.: Kraft+, 2005. – 480 p.
Russian folk tales by A.N. Afanasyev: In 3 volumes – Vol. I. – M.: GIHL, 1957. – 516 p.
Plato. Collected works: In 4 volumes. T. I / General. ed. A.F. Loseva and others; Auto. will enter. articles by A.F. Losev; Note A.A. Tahoe-Godi; Per. from ancient Greek – M.: Mysl, 1990. – 860, p.
Propp V.Ya. Preface // Russian folk tales by A.N. Afanasyev: In 3 volumes. T. I. M.: GIHL, 1957. P. III-XYI.
Russian cultural space: Linguistic and cultural dictionary: Vol. first / I.S.Brileva, N.P.Volskaya, D.B.Gudkov, I.V.Zakharenko, V.V.Krasnykh. – M.: Gnosis, 2004. – 318 p.
Ryzhkov L.N. About the antiquities of the Russian language. – M.: IC “Ancient and Modern”, 2002. – 368 p.: ill.
Reader on Russian history literary language/ Compiled by A.N. Kozhin. – M.: graduate School, 1974. – 415 p.

The wolf in Russian folk tales is in most cases a negative character. He is a strong and dangerous opponent, but at the same time he is a naive and not particularly intelligent hero. He often gets into trouble because of his stupidity, maliciousness, and excessive trust in Lisa and other smarter characters. In rare stories, the wolf still becomes true friend and protector.

Wolf in Russian folk tales

The positive and negative role of the wolf in fairy tales: its origins

The ambiguous image of the character is associated with the same unclear attitude towards the animal among the people. In fairy tales he often becomes collectively, endowed with strength and stupidity at the same time. By using instructive stories it is demonstrated that the physical strength of the enemy is not the main quality for winning a fight. This character is successfully complemented by the proverb “If you have strength, you don’t need intelligence!” But at the same time, when in a fairy tale sly Fox mocks the wolf, we empathize with him. His simplicity is closer to us than the cunning of the red-haired cheat.

The image of the simple-minded wolf is refuted in some fairy tales. For example, in the story about Ivan Tsarevich, the wolf hero, on the contrary, demonstrates wisdom, unexpectedly takes the side of good, and plays the role of an adviser and assistant. But this is the exception rather than the rule.

In their depiction of the fairy-tale wolf, people have strayed far from the real qualities of the animal. If the quality of cunning given to the fox, and cowardice to the hare, seem quite logical, then it is not at all clear why stupidity was attributed to such a dangerous predator. In nature, a wolf is an excellent hunter. He even brings some benefit as a forest orderly. The quality of straightforwardness attributed to him can only be associated with the fact that he is capable of facing danger eye to eye. His style of hunting also speaks of his ingenuousness: the wolf does not chase the prey for a long time, attacks more often in a pack and only on the weakest individuals from the herd.

The character of the wolf in folk tales

First of all, the wolf is a villain character. It’s just that in some fairy tales he poses a threat to other heroes, but in others he is harmless and even useful.

• “How the wolf was taught intelligence”- the wolf character in this story is stupid and lazy. He shows straightforwardness, which could be regarded as positive feature, if it were not associated with stupidity.
• "Wolf and Goat"- here he is a malicious deceiver, ruthless and greedy, but still not without naivety.
• "Sister Fox and the Wolf"- the wolf hero is depicted as a stupid and naive character who, despite his evil face, suffers from the tricks of the Gossip-Fox.
• "Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf"- portrayed as a conscientious villain who decided to repay his crime good deed and help a person with advice and action. Here he is revealed as a kind and selfless character.
• "Wolf, Cat and Dog"- here the character demonstrates simple tricks, this is one of the few stories where his ability to deceive is manifested. Not as skilled as the Fox, but still capable of causing harm.

As you can see, the gray wolf is the most instructive, both in positive and negative forms.

“Will there be examples... of wolves - favorites of children and adults? "(With)

Vasnetsov Viktor Mikhailovich is a wonderful Russian artist. He has no equal in the skill of writing historical and folklore paintings. The whole world knows such of his creations as “Bogatyrs”, “The Knight at the Crossroads”, “Alyonushka”. The artist’s painting “Ivan Tsarevich on the Gray Wolf” looked like a fairy tale come to life on canvas. It was written based on the plot of a folk tale, when you look at it, you immediately remember your childhood and wonderful stories O fairy tale characters. The main characters look as if they are about to step out of the picture and rush into the distance.

Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf
“in the dungeon there the princess is grieving
and the gray wolf serves her faithfully..”

The wolf is not always a negative character.
In folklore different nations The wolf often acts as part of a noble and grateful force. Sometimes even sacred. There are often cases when people considered the wolf as their ancestor.
The wolf was also revered by the ancient Germans. The names Adolf or Wolfgang have a root origin from the word “Wolf”.

In nature, the wolf, first of all, is the orderly of the forest, ensures the development...
In addition, from personal experience- wolves are excellent parents, some freaks take advantage of this to tie up wolf cubs - the parents will feed them anyway, and the skin of an adult wolf is much more expensive than a wolf cub.
The wolf does not attack near its lair (unless it is protecting its offspring).
“... a young warrior meets a gray wolf. This is also a symbol. The symbol of Perun himself. The mighty God of thunder, the God of justice, light and military valor, when appearing on earth, prefers the appearance of a wolf. Wolf-Perun is wise, courageous and very fast. It is on it that in other fairy tales Ivan Tsarevich covers enormous distances. Moreover, Perun becomes the knight not just a friend, but also a brother-in-arms. What does this mean? About the fact that, having Perun himself as his brothers, the Russian hero is capable of crushing anyone. That he has no equal among people on earth. And here, in the tale of the fight against Koshchei the Immortal, his magical speed is required.” (With)
From the tale of the death of Koshcheeva.
“Negative hero - “Gray Wolf”. The wolf is a strong, noble and independent animal. For whom is the wolf an unambiguous nightmare, carrying obvious negativity? Definitely not for a feudal lord, who rather feels a kinship of souls with this wolf, can kill it in battle, hang it on the fireplace as a trophy, and give the wolf cubs to children to raise. A wolf is a nightmare for a goat herder, and for a goat herder for whom the loss of a couple of heads from the herd is extremely critical because The flock is not his, but the master’s, and for one master’s goat you can be left without a head. For a goat herder who cannot organize a wolf hunt himself - because then he will not just be a goat herder, but also a hunter and a warrior (consider, free man with weapons, who will build relations with the feudal lord according to completely different principles) - therefore, the master’s forest and everything in the forest is the master’s, the master’s game... it turns out that the wolf in the forest is also the master’s vassal, and to hunt the master’s game with the master’s permission. And the life of a goat herder is to make sure that the master’s wolf does not inadvertently kill the master’s goat. You can’t explain to the wolf that he is the master’s vassal and has no moral right to eat the master’s goat - or rather, you can’t explain it, but the goatherd MUST explain how, his goatherd problems... Moreover, the goatherd himself in this hierarchy is lower than the wolf, his life is filled with permanent tragic excitement and very bleak prospects.
So goat herders tell their children, also future goat herders, tales about terrible gray wolf who needs to be outsmarted. The feudal lords, of course, told their children completely different things.

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Entry: The image of a wolf in... folk tales
posted May 4, 2016 at 9:11 pm and is in |
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