Yakovlevich Propp Character Functions

Propps eight character functions

The Propps character functions. These are based on the character functions according to Vladimir Yakovlevich Propp a Russian and Soviet formalist scholar who analyzed the basic plot components of Russian folk tales to identify their simplest irreducible narrative elements. He then created the 8 character functions:

1.      The villain — struggles against the hero.

2.     The dispatcher —character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off.

3.     The (magical) helper — helps the hero in the quest.

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. The hero's journey is often ended when he marries the princess, thereby beating the villain.

5.     Her father — gives the task to the hero, identifies the false hero, and marries the hero, often sought for during the narrative. Propp noted that functionally, the princess and the father can not be clearly distinguished.

6.     The donor —prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object.

7.     The hero or victim/seeker hero — reacts to the donor, weds the princess.

8.     False hero — takes credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry the princess.

These roles can sometimes be distributed among various characters. Conversely, one character could engage in acts as more than one figure, as a father could send his son on the quest and give him a sword, acting as both the dispatcher and donor.

Vladimir Yakovlevich Propp theory is applied to our teaser trailer film basis

Not all of the categories are based on our teaser trailer, as Yakovlevich Propp based this on the theories of Russian folktales and not up to date modern narratives. Below are the categories that applied to our teaser trailer and gave us a closer insight into our teaser trailer and the roles of our characters

The hero, usually male, is the agent who restores the narrative equilibrium often by embarking upon a quest. 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 villain’s victims. The hero is invariably the texts central character. (Terri which challenges this theory)

The villain who usually creates the narrative disruption.  (The surgeon)

The donor gives the hero something; it may be an object, information or advice, which helps in resolution of the narrative. (Amy)

The helper aids the hero in the task of restoring equilibrium. (Emily)

The dispatcher sends the hero on her or his task (who can typically be the princess father). (Emily)