Cyclical Potential of the Theme in Russian Folk Prose

Abstract

The aim of the study is to analyze the cyclical potential of the theme in Russian folk prose based on the plots of the “unfairly exiled” woman recorded in the international index Aarne — Andreev. The material consists of 1,559 Russian folk tales from the 19th–20th centuries, selected using the continuous sampling method. The research employs comparative and statistical analysis, generalization, and mental modeling methods. The study identifies constant and optional motifs that form the structural-semantic unity of the cycle. It is established that the plot action follows a ritual structure, and the traditional continuity of motifs reflects the interaction between matriarchal and patriarchal worldviews. The findings confirm that folklore cyclization develops around a nominative image, ensuring the stability of genre traditions and the reproduction of key themes. This work expands the understanding of plot organization mechanisms and motif combination in the fairytale epic.