Prop's theories of Narrative

2. VLADMIR PROPP
Vladimir Propp, was a Russian critic of the 1920s. Whilst early
filmmakers were producing many films, Propp was essentially
interested in the narrative of Russian folk tales.
He noticed that often many folk tales were similar in a variety of
areas. He identified a theory about characters and actions
as narrative functions.
According to Vladimir Propp, characters have a narrative
function; they provide a structure for the text.

3. Propp identified 8 different character types which he claimed exist in all
folk tales.
He then claimed that there are 31 key narrative events which occur in
stories in a particular order based on these 8 characters.
All these characters, he argued, have their own motives and are likely to
cause events and take sides. Conflict is central to these stories. Propp’s
theory has been applied to films, tv and even news. It can sometimes be
difficult to apply but often applies well to crime dramas, thrillers, horror
movies etc

4. The typical characters he found
were:
* The Hero – a character that
seeks something (known as
the protagonist).
* The Villain – who opposes or
actively blocks the hero’s
quest (known as the
antagonist).
* The Donor – who provides an
object with magical
properties.
* The Dispatcher – who sends
the hero on his/her quest via
a message.
* The False Hero – who disrupts
the hero’s success by making
false claims.
* The Helper – who aids the hero.
* The Princess – acts as the
reward for the hero and the
object of the villain’s plots.
In a struggle scene Vladimir
Propp
suggested this theory:
* There is a struggle between
the
hero and the villain.
* The hero is branded.
* The villain is overcome.
* The state of disorder is
settled.
And the recognition scene:
* At this stage in the film the
hero is recognised. (an
action film, like superman)
* Or the false hero or villain is
unmasked. (a horror film
scene)
* As well as the false hero could
be punished in this scene.
(a cops and robbers scene)
* Or the hero attains the reward
(princess/ kingdom).. and
they live happily ever after.
(a fairytale)