Propp's character roles and narrative functions

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Propp’s Character Roles
Propp’s Narrative Functions
Name: Maximilian Stainer
Candidate Number: 3138
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Propp’s Character Roles
Trailer 1: New Years on EastEnders: Trailer – BBC One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh4NvPB4FDc
‘The villain’ (struggles against the hero) of the trailer is Max, who is the male
protagonist who appears first in the trailer. This can be justified by his outfit, in
particular his black cloak, which may connote darkness and deceit. As well as this,
within seconds of the trailer, it displays a shot reverse shot between Max (‘the
villain’) and Ian, who could possibly be ‘the hero’ (AKA
victim/seeker/paladin/winner, reacts to the donor, usually marries the princess).
Here he is presented with a scared and startled manor as Max stares at him.
Furthermore ‘the princess’ (person the hero marries, often sought for during the
narrative) can be identified within the trailer later on by the female protagonist
‘Ronnie’. This can be illustrated by her wedding dress as she is walking up the isle
suggesting she is about to get married. To further support this she is also narrating
before and during the shot of her walking up the isle. This is also occupied with the
long transition to allow there to be more focus on her role as ‘the princess’ as it
allows the audience to recognised her beauty.

3. Propp’s Character Roles
Trailer 2 – TRAILER: Summer on Emmerdale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzLjU-Ut3tA
‘The villain’ (struggles against the hero) is revealed at the start and later in the trailer
by ore tan one protagonist. The first example is highlighted by a male protagonist who
is holding a gun at someone. Obviously this is a crime and therefore he is seen as a
criminal within this soap opera. As well as this there is an example of ‘the false hero’
(perceived as good character in beginning but emerges as evil) is seen through the
male Asian protagonist who is complemented by a female protagonist, however later
he is seen to be stealing an expensive piece of jewellery from a women. This is theft
and therefore concludes that this character is a villain.
We are also introduced to the ‘the hero’ (AKA victim/seeker/paladin/winner, reacts to
the donor, usually marries the princess) in the opening of the trailer by a young female
protagonist. In particular, she is symbolised as the victim as she has been locked in a
room and is crying, which signifies her weakness and how she has been victimized by a
possible villain.

4. Propp’s Narrative Functions
Trailer 1: New Years on EastEnders: Trailer – BBC One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh4NvPB4FDc
DEPARTURE:
The hero leaves the home environment, this time with a sense of purpose. Here
begins their adventure. This is evident in the opening of the trailer through the male
protagonist Ian as he states ‘We need to pack’ to escape and avoid ‘the villain’ that
is Max. this is then supported as they are trying to leave and are spotted by Max and
this causes Ian to look shocked and startled.
RECONNAISSANCE:
The villain makes an effort to attain knowledge needed to fulfil their plan perhaps
for a valuable item or to abduct someone. They may speak with a family member
who innocently divulges a crucial insight. This can be identified later in the trailer
where Max is confronted by Michelle who appears to want to help Max. This is
anchored by the uplift in pitch of the soundtrack as it has a more positive tone,
which may suggest Max has found an opportunity to fulfil his plans.
Binary opposition (Levi Strauss) of Good vs. Evil:
This can be displayed in the opening of the trailer as there is confrontation/
awkward stare out between Max (The villain) and Ian (The hero).

5. Propp’s Narrative Functions
Trailer 2 – TRAILER: Summer on Emmerdale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzLjU-Ut3tA
VILLAINY or LACKING:
The villain harms a family member, including but not limited to abduction, theft,
spoiling crops, plundering, banishment or expulsion of one or more protagonists,
murder, threatening a forced marriage, inflicting nightly torments and so on. This is
highlighted later in the trailer where a male protagonist is aiming a gun at his
grandad and is threatening to shoot him (which he does) and kills him.
DELIVERY and TRICKERY:
The villain succeeds at recon and gains a lead on their intended victim and the
villain attempts to deceive the victim to acquire something valuable. They press
further, aiming to con the protagonists and earn their trust. Sometimes the villain
make little or no deception and instead ransoms one valuable thing for another. This
is illustrated as she says ‘he gave me wine and I drank it’. This may be an element of
trickery and corruption the male protagonist has used in order to take advantage of
the women.