Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography NAS, Armenia
Russian-Armenian University, Armenia
Ph.D. in philology, researcher, associate professor at Russian-Armenian University, Armenia
Yerevan/Armenia
madatyanlusine@yandex.ru
Abstract
Folktales have been studied from various perspectives: folkloristic, structuralist, feminist, psychoanalytical and others, and all the studies carry the common ideology that a folktale is a specific text, endowed with a number of distinct characteristics. Among them, temporal features are attributed as of particular significance.
The present paper examines the instantaneous nature of time flow in Armenian folktales, arguing that it should be understood not merely as a generic feature of the genre but as a distinct narrative device. Folktales are widely recognized as economically structured narratives, characterized by the absence of lengthy descriptions and detailed elaboration. Within this framework, the compression and acceleration of time play a crucial role in shaping the narrative form. This study highlights how the instantaneous flow of time contributes to narrative economy by eliminating non-essential episodes and advancing the plot efficiently.
Drawing on a corpus of Armenian folktales, the article identifies several factors that influence the representation of time within the narrative. Among these are the rapid transition between events, the condensation of extended temporal spans into brief narrative moments, and the depiction of long-distance journeys completed within an unrealistically short period. Such devices transform ordinary human time into a marvelous temporal dimension, aligning the narrative with the conventions of the folktale genre. These features not only accelerate the progression of the story but also sustain the dynamic and action-oriented structure typical of oral storytelling traditions.
Although these temporal patterns are often treated as inherent elements of a “magical discourse,” this paper argues that they function more precisely as deliberate narrative strategies. By foregrounding instantaneous time as a device, the study shifts the analytical focus from passive genre characteristics to active mechanisms of storytelling. In this sense, temporal acceleration serves a dual function: it reinforces the structural economy of the folktale and ensures that the narrative remains focused on key transformative events rather than descriptive detail.
Furthermore, the paper demonstrates that the use of instantaneous time is closely tied to genre-specific expectations, where brevity, clarity, and symbolic action are prioritized over realistic temporal representation. The findings suggest that the acceleration and condensation of time are not incidental but essential to the narrative logic of folktales. So, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of temporal representation in folklore and highlights its role in maintaining the stylistic and structural integrity of the genre.
Keywords: timeless world, time acceleration, instant time flow, narrative device, magic helper, magical change.