Vladimir Propp's Narrative Theory

1. Vladimir Propp
Character Types
By Sophie Smart

2. What did Propp do?
• Vladimir Propp is a Russian critic that has analysed over 100 fairy and folk
tales in regards to character types that help to drive the narrative and
identified common themes within them. Forming a common structure
between the character types and the character functions. These narrative
functions found are spread between the main characters involved within the
narrative.
• His theory has influenced upon many filmmakers to writing and producing
successful narratives.

3. Character Role: Character Function:
The Hero  is on a quest, to which the plot is driven by the actions and
choices of the hero, who is known as the protagonist.
The Villain  works on opposition to the hero and who struggles with the
hero, and the villain is known as the antagonist.
The Princess  is what/who the quest is for, and often recognises and
marries the hero and/or punishes the villain
The Dispatcher  sends the hero on the quest.
The Donor  gives the hero something to help them on the quest.
The Helper  assists them on the quest.
The Father  rewards the hero.
The False Hero  appears to be helping the hero but is later unmasked as a
fraud, as they claim to be the hero, often reacting like the
hero.

4. ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’
When relating Propp’s theory to this film:
Character Role: Character Function:
The Hero  Harry Potter, who is on the quest to defeat Lord Voldemort.
The Villain  Lord Voldemort works opposite to Harry and is trying to kill him to regain back his lost power.
The Princess  Ginny Weasley is the person Harry (the hero) goes to save from the villain, and in future films they
become romantically connected.
The Dispatcher  Moaning Myrtle, helps show the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets, which then sends the
Harry on the quest.
The Donor  the Phoenix provides the sorting hat in Harry Potter need of it when fighting Tom Riddle (Lord
Voldemort), which provides a sword, therefore giving Harry something to help him on his
quest.
The Helper  Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger assists Harry on his quests.
The Father  Dumbledore rewards Harry, even though he is not the father, he is looked up to as a father figure.
The False Hero  Professor Gilderoy Lockhart works at the school appearing to be helping Harry, but is later
unmasked as a fraud, as he is helping Voldemort. Therefore, he thinks that he is the hero for his
honourable gesture to the evil side.

5. ‘Memories Collide’
When relating Propp’s theory to my film:
Character Role: Character Function:
The Hero  Oakley Smith, who is on the quest to defeat the Prime Minister.
The Villain  The British Prime Minister who works opposite to Oakley and is thirsty for power, killing British
citizens to cause an uprising world wide as she will present the killings to be foreign terrorist attacks.
The Princess  Emma Goodhall is the person who Oakley helps to save, by analysing that she would be the next
person to be killed by the government, and by saving her makes them become romantically connected.
The Dispatcher  Oakley’s own perception around his work place resulted in him discovering major corruption from
the constant attacks, sending himself on his quest to defeat the British government.
The Donor  An old friend of Oakley’s called Harry Barnwell, has recently been known to be a common crime
associate, but he helps Oakley by providing him with guns from the black market to help him on his
quest.
The Helper  Emma Goodhall helps Oakley on his quest after he saves her life.
The Father  Emma Goodhall’s father thanks Oakley for saving his daughter.
The False Hero  The Prime Ministers assistant, works for the Prime Minister is often perceives herself to help Oakley,
but is then later unmasked as being involved within the Prime Minister’s plan.