Vladimir Propp - Narrative Theory

Vladamir Propp suggested that characters took on the role of narrative 'spheres of action' or functions:

1. The hero, usually male, is the agent who restores the narrative equilibrium often by embarking upon a quest (or search), saves the princess and wins her hand (S.M looked into this when we were researching romance genre too). Propp distinguishes between the victim hero, who is the centre of the villain's attentions, and the seeker hero who aids others who are the villains victims. The hero is invariably the texts protagonist or central character.
2. The villain who creates a narrative disruption.
3. The donor gives the hero something, it may be an object, information or advice, which helps in resolution of the narrative.
4. The helper aids the hero in the task of restoring equilibrium.
5. The princess (the victim) is usually the character most threatened by the villain and has to be saved, at the climax, by the hero. The father's (who in fairy tales was often the king) role is usually to give the princess away to the hero at the narratives conclusion. He may also dispatch the hero.
6. The dispatcher sends the hero on his or her task
7. The false hero appears to be good but is revealed, at the narrative's end, to have been bad.

Although this theory is based on traditional films, if we think about modern films now, most still follow these codes and conventions, so although in our teaser trailer we cannot establish all these roles, it is still important to note who to include.