Vladimir Propps theory of narrative

Vladimir Propp was a literary critic and a scholar who founded the idea that a certain type of character was to be used in every narrative structure. His theory has influenced many film makers and producers to writing successful narratives. Propp also suggested that all fairy tales follow a specific narrative structure.

Propp also had eight character types that applied to every story written: 
1. The villain - fights the hero in some way. For example a good villain character is the Joker from the 'dark knight- batman'. 

2. The dispatcher- the character who makes villains evil known and sends the hero off. A good example of a dispatcher is Nick Fury who appears in 'Avengers assemble' and collects the hero's in order to fight off the evil presence/ villain. 

3. The (magical) helper- the one who helps the hero complete the task at hand. A good example would be Robin from the film 'Batman and Robin' he provides a physical appearance to help fight off the villain alongside the hero. 

4. The princess or prize- the hero deserves her throughout the story but is unable to marry her because of an unfair evil, usually because of the villain. A good example of the princess is Gwen Stacey from the hit film 'The amazing spiderman'. 

5. Her father- gives the hero the task, identifies the false hero, and marries the hero often sought for throughout the narrative. Propp also noted that the princess and father cannot be clearly distinguished. 
6. The donor- Prepares the hero and gives the hero a magical object that will help them. A good example of the donor would be Lucius Fox in the film 'Batman begins' he provides Batman with weapons and armoury.   

7. The hero or victim/ seeker hero- reacts to the donor weds the princess. The most common character type a good example of a true hero is spiderman as seen in 'The amazing spiderman'. 

8. False hero- takes credit for the hero's actions or tries to marry the princess.

There are in Propps theory 31 functions that take place in basic narratives: 

1. A member of a family leaves home (the hero is introduced as a unique person within the tribe, whose needs may not be met by remaining)
2. An interdiction (a command NOT to do something e.g.'don't go there', 'go to this place'), is addressed to the hero;
3. The hero ignores the interdiction
4. The villain appears and (either villain tries to find the children/jewels etc; or intended victim encounters the villain);
5. The villain gains information about the victim;
6. The villain attempts to deceive the victim to take possession of victim or victim's belongings (trickery; villain disguised, tries to win confidence of victim);
7. The victim is fooled by the villain, unwittingly helps the enemy;
8. Villain causes harm/injury to family/tribe member (by abduction, theft of magical agent, spoiling crops, plunders in other forms, causes a disappearance, expels someone, casts spell on someone, substitutes child etc, commits murder, imprisons/detains someone, threatens forced marriage, provides nightly torments); Alternatively, a member of family lacks something or desires something (magical potion etc);
9. Misfortune or lack is made known, (hero is dispatched, hears call for help etc/ alternative is that victimised hero is sent away, freed from imprisonment);
10. Seeker agrees to, or decides upon counter-action;
11. Hero leaves home;
12. Hero is tested, interrogated, attacked etc, preparing the way for his/her receiving magical agent or helper (donor);
13. Hero reacts to actions of future donor (withstands/fails the test, frees captive, reconciles disputants, performs service, uses adversary's powers against them);
14. Hero acquires use of a magical agent (it's directly transferred, located, purchased, prepared, spontaneously appears, is eaten/drunk, or offered by other characters);
15. Hero is transferred, delivered or led to whereabouts of an object of the search;
16. Hero and villain join in direct combat;
17. Hero is branded (wounded/marked, receives ring or scarf);
18. Villain is defeated (killed in combat, defeated in contest, killed while asleep, banished);
19. Initial misfortune or lack is resolved (object of search distributed, spell broken, slain person revived, captive freed);
20. Hero returns;
21. Hero is pursued (pursuer tries to kill, eat, undermine the hero);
22. Hero is rescued from pursuit (obstacles delay pursuer, hero hides or is hidden, hero transforms unrecognisably, hero saved from attempt on his/her life);
23. Hero unrecognised, arrives home or in another country;
24. False hero presents unfounded claims;
25. Difficult task proposed to the hero (trial by ordeal, riddles, test of strength/endurance, other tasks);
26. Task is resolved;
27. Hero is recognised (by mark, brand, or thing given to him/her);
28. False hero or villain is exposed;
29. Hero is given a new appearance (is made whole, handsome, new garments etc);
30. Villain is punished;
31. Hero marries and ascends the throne (is rewarded/promoted)