Option 2
• a.Using Propp’s functions write a fairy tale with one of the characters from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight as a central figure. (1500 words)
• b.Write a further 500 words reflecting on the creative decisions you made in preparing this piece.
This is an invitation to explore a character from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by writing a fairy tale about that character using Propp’s functions in (a) a
rewriting activity (1500 words) and (b) a reflective commentary (500 words), rather than in a full-scale essay.
Here is a suggested list of things to do if you select this option:
1. Look back over your notes on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and Propp’s functions. What are the key events in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight that
relate to the character that you have chosen? What are the key features of their story that you might use in your fairy tale? To answer this question, you will
find it useful to revisit the print and online teaching material and reread parts of the set texts.
2. Plan out your tale before writing it by making brief notes about setting, events and other characters.
3. Return to the list of Propp’s actants and functions. Consider which are essential to your fairy tale and decide which of them you will use (you won’t have
room to use them all).
4. Write your tale; make sure you edit it as carefully as you would any other piece of academic work.
5. Before writing your reflective commentary (part b), think back to the decisions you made before you wrote your tale. What are the key features of Sir
Gawain and the Green Knight that you have used, and how have they affected your creative decisions? Identify actants and functions, and reflect on the
advantages and constraints of constructing a story on this basis. What have you learned about the differences between Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and
fairy tale tropes?
In your tale you are free to make significant changes to the narrative of your Sir Gawain and the Green Knight character. All that is essential is that your story
is recognisably related to important elements of the character you have selected.