1. VLADIMIRPROPP (1895-1970)
Propp was a Bulgarian theorist. In his 1922 work The Morphology of the Folk Tale he
analysed something like 400 Russian folk tales. He found that across all of these
tales, despite apparent differences,characters and their actions can be categorized
into clearly defined roles and functions (8 character roles and 31 narrative functions)
which are summarized here:
The hero: seeks something, to fulfill a ‘lack’ of some kind
The villain: opposedthe hero, tries to make the hero fail
The donor: aids the hero by providing an objectwith magical properties
The dispatcher: sends the hero on a quest of some kind
The false hero: pretends to be the hero
The helper: assists the hero in some way
The princess:doubles up as a reward for the hero and the objectof the
villain’s plot
Her father: will reward the hero (oftenby giving the hero his daughter)
PROPP NARRATIVE FUNCTION
These functions should not be seen just as events, actions or characters in themselves, but as
elements in a narrative which can occur at different places. The same action can have a different
meaning depending on where it occurs.
DARK KNIGHT RISES
(which character fulfils this role and why?)
Hero
Batman because he’s dedicated to protecting Gotham City from the
criminal underworld.
Villain
Bane , because is intent on destroying Gotham City.
Donor
Lucius Fox , he runs wayne enterprises on behalf of Bruce Wayne
and serves as his armeror, providing him with high-tech equipment.
Dispatcher
John Blake Alfred,commissionerGordon-They all help batman
False hero
Miranda Tate – turns out Bane saved her when she was a child
Helper
Selina Kyle john Blake – help fight with batman
Princess
Selina Kyle comes backto save bruce and go off to live together.
Father Ra’Sal Ghul- Trains batman. Turn out he is Marinda Tate’s
father.

2. PREPARATION
A community (a
kingdom, family, etc.) in
a state of order
A member of the family
leaves home
A prohibition/rule is
imposed on the hero
A prohibition / rule is
ignores or broken
The villain makes an
attempt at
reconnaissance; tries to
find something out
about the hero
The villain learns
something about his
victim
The villain tries to
deceive the victim to
gain an advantage
The victim is deceived
and unknowingly helps
the villain
COMPLICATION
The state of order is
disrupted
The villain harms a
member of the family
A member of the family
lacks or desires
something
This lack is made
known to the hero who
is sent on a quest
The hero plans action
against the villain
TRANSFERENCE
The hero leaves home
The hero is tested,
attacked, interrogated:
the hero receives help
The hero reacts to the
donor
The hero is transferred
to the location where
he will fulfill his quest /
task
STRUGGLE
There is a struggle
between the hero and
the villain
The hero is branded
The villain is defeated
The initial state of order
is restored / the lack

3. fulfilled
RETURN
The hero returns
The hero is pursed
The hero escapes / is
rescued
The hero arrives home
or some other place: he
is not recognized
A false hero makes a
false claim
The hero is given a
difficult task
The task is
accomplished
RECOGNITION
The hero is recognized
The false hero / villain
is exposed
The false hero / villain
transforms
The false hero / villain
is punished
The hero is rewarded
(marries the princess
and is granted
wealth/power)