For being a story about outstanding good luck, “The Frog Tsarevna” is remarkably pessimistic. Indeed, the story never fails to expose the reader to what appears to be the laughably bad fortune of Ivan. Ivan frequently doubts his prospects, and with good reason. From the very moment Ivan’s arrow conveniently lands in a swamp in the sights of what appears to be a frog, who is conveniently able to talk, and conveniently insists that she be Ivan’s wife, the story presents some pretty bleak prospects for poor Ivan. Of course, Ivan’s luck turns in a fantastic way on multiple occasions throughout the story, such as when he learns that his frog-wife is in fact “Vasilisa the Wise and Clever.” But before this happens, Ivan frequently laments his fortune, voicing his worries to his frog-wife after his father gives him various challenges to assign her.
The fact that such pessimism is expressed by a character who later has dramatic turns in his luck seems to be very much in line with Russian folklore in the larger sense. Indeed, according to the secondary reading, Russian culture seems to be absolutely obsessed with pessimism and its positive relationship with luck. The “Russian Folk Beliefs and Superstitions” reading expresses that “Talking about future success” is “considered bad luck.” It says that “it is considered better” to be “silent” or even “pessimistic.” Ivan, and by extension the story, follows this creed and fortune favors him.
I found a similar (and rather humorous) folkloric rule which applied to babies. The secondary reading stated that it is unwise for a stranger to look at a baby “before a certain age,” and if one makes the mistake of doing so, they aught to call the child “ugly.” Once again, Russian folklore expresses its idea that pessimism and good luck are positively correlated.
In the larger sense, this strange idea actually makes a lot of sense when taken in context with several other obsessions of Russian culture- namely, the Russian obsession with suffering. Indeed, under cruel Tsars and harsh nobles, the Russian people clearly have suffered, and their culture knows it. Perhaps pessimism is a coping mechanism- a way for Russian consumers of folk tales to avoid getting their hopes up. Pessimism allows people to anticipate negativity, so when anything other than the worst transpires, they are allowed to consider it positive. In a way, this allows Russians to create their own luck.
This is so true and so perceptive! And a wonderful way of connecting several different texts we’ve read with broader cultural tendencies and sensibilities. I would explain one thing, though, about the particular superstitions you mention: these are founded in a belief in the Evil Eye. The idea is that if humans are prematurely optimistic or certain about a positive outcome, the Evil Eye will take note and intervene, causing tragedy. This is why, for instance, in Russian culture (at least until very recently) it was unheard of to have a baby shower prior to the birth of a baby, or even for the expecting parents to buy furniture or baby clothes before the baby is born–because they didn’t want to attract the Evil Eye! Only once the baby was born, and everyone was safe, would it be permissible to have a positive outlook on the future and purchase the necessary items.