1. Holly Gibbons
Media
This theory was developed by Vladmir Propp, based on the work of the
Russian Formalists. Propp used Russian Folktales as the basis for his theory
but it can be applied to all types of fiction as well as many movies. The basic
premise is that there are several basic archtypes that appear in alot of films,
and that they all play very similar roles.
These characters are:
• The Hero - who is seeking something
• The Villan - who tries to stop the hero from achieving his goal
• The Donor - who gives the Hero an item of power
• The Helper - Who aids the Hero
• The Princess - This could be a person or thing, which acts as an award
for the hero
• The Dispatcher - Who sends the hero on his Journey
• The Father - Who rewards the Hero
Sometimes, some of the characters do not fit into certain films, which is one of
the theory's main downfalls.
I will use Star Wars as an example.
• The Hero - Luke Skywalker
• The Villan - Darth Vader
• The Donor - Obi Wan
• The Helper - Obi Wan
• The Princess - Leia
• The Dispatcher - Obi Wan
• The Father - Leia
After an inital situation is set-up, the story usually follows the following
structure:
1. A member of a family leaves home (the hero is introduced);
2. An interdiction is addressed to the hero ('don't go there', 'go to this
place');
3. The interdiction is violated (villain enters the tale);
4. The villain makes an attempt at reconnaissance (either villain tries to
find the children/jewels etc; or intended victim questions 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. Victim taken in by deception, unwittingly helping the enemy;
8. Villain causes harm/injury to family 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, comits murder, imprisons/detains someone, threatens forced

2. Holly Gibbons
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); Seeker agrees to, or decides upon counter-action;
10. Hero leaves home;
11. Hero is tested, interrogated, attacked etc, preparing the way for his/her
receiving magical agent or helper (donor);
12. Hero reacts to actions of future donor (withstands/fails the test, frees
captive, reconciles disputants, performs service, uses adversary's
powers against them);
13. Hero acquires use of a magical agent (directly transferred, located,
purchased, prepared, spontaneously appears, eaten/drunk, help
offered by other characters);
14. Hero is transferred, delivered or led to whereabouts of an object of the
search;
15. Hero and villain join in direct combat;
16. Hero is branded (wounded/marked, receives ring or scarf);
17. Villain is defeated (killed in combat, defeated in contest, killed while
asleep, banished);
18. Initial misfortune or lack is resolved (object of search distributed, spell
broken, slain person revivied, captive freed);
19. Hero returns;
20. Hero is pursued (pursuer tries to kill, eat, undermine the hero);
21. Hero is rescued from pursuit (obstacles delay pursuer, hero hides or is
hidden, hero transforms unrecognisably, hero saved from attempt on
his/her life);
22. Hero unrecognised, arrives home or in another country;
23. False hero presents unfounded claims;
24. Difficult task proposed to the hero (trial by ordeal, riddles, test of
strength/endurance, other tasks);
25. Task is resolved;
26. Hero is recognised (by mark, brand, or thing given to him/her);
27. False hero or villain is exposed;
28. Hero is given a new appearance (is made whole, handsome, new
garments etc);
29. Villain is punished;
30. Hero marries and ascends the throne (is rewarded/promoted).
(This could be applied to the later part of the Star Wars Trilogy)
So go on, try it yourself with your favourite film! I guarantee a warm fuzzy
feeling of accomplishment. *grin*