Russian Fairy Tale

The universality of the fairy tale, its prevalence, is as astonishing as its immortality. This occurs because the fairy tale contains some eternal, undying values. These values will be revealed to us gradually. For now, I will limit myself to... pointing out the poetic nature, heartfelt essence, beauty, and deep truthfulness of the fairy tale, its cheerfulness, liveliness, sparkling wit, and the combination of childlike innocence with profound wisdom and a sober view of life,— writes the enchanted author. The Russian fairy tale, an unfinished manuscript by the author, largely summarizes the theses presented in the two previous monographs, but also expands upon them. The work classifies plots and characters, as well as providing a broad historical context: how did the study of fairy tales begin in Europe? What path did it take in Russia? Who were those very storytellers who retold the well-known plots from our childhood to the collectors?