30. Punishment: Villain is punished

Disciplines > Storytelling > Propp's Morphology of the Folk Tale > 30. Punishment: Villain is punished

Description | Discussion | See also

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Description

Symbol: U

The villain (if not vanquished earlier) or false hero, now fully exposed, receives some punishment. This may be lenient, harsh or something just, depending on the story and perhaps mitigating circumstances and the kindness or severity of the hero or other leading character.

Example

In Star Wars, Darth Vader is sent spiraling away into distant space.

Discussion

Punishment of the evil and treacherous has long been done not just as an act of retributive justice but also as a warning to others (including the reader) of the inevitability of such punishment. Cautionary tales are a classic form of education and this intent may be included to a greater or lesser extent.