Vladimir Propp was a literary scholar who proposed that narratives follow specific character archetypes. His theory identified eight common character types including the hero, villain, helper, and princess. The hero's main goal is to defeat the villain and win the princess. Propp argued these character types appear in all fairy tales and influence successful storytelling.

1. Character Theory

2. Vladimir Propp
Vladimir Propp was a literary critic and scholar
who founded the idea that certain types of
character were portrayed in every narrative
structure. His theory has influenced many
filmmakers to write and produce successful
narratives. Propp also argues that all fairy takes
follow a specific narrative structure.

3. Vladimir Propp’s Character Theory
Propp’s eight different character types:
1. The Hero = This is the main chaacter whom the audience will recognise as the
key character in the narrative. This character is usually good.
2. The Villain = fights the hero in some way
3. The Helper = helps the hero in his quest as a companion, giving him advice
and support.
4. The Princess/Prize = the hero deserves her throughout but is unable to “win”
her because of an unfair evil, usually the “villain” . The hero’s quest is often
ended once he marries the princess. Thereby beating the villain and resulting
in a “happily ever after” ending.
5. The Dispatcher = gives the task to the hero, identifies the false hero and
could be described as the princess’ father. Propp notes that functionally , the
princess and father cannot be clearly distinguished
6. The Donor = prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object
7. The Hero or Victim = reacts to the donor/ marries the princess
8. False Hero = takes the credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry the
princess

4. 1. The Dispatcher = This character could be the princess’
father as he sets gives the task to the hero and
identifies the false hero (sending the hero on a wild
goose chase)
2. The Princess’ Father – This
3. The Donor = This character is similar to the role of the
helper. The Donor prepares the hero or gives the hero
something to repair the problem in the narrative
(Tondorov). The Hero or Victim = reacts to the donor/
marries the princess
4. False Hero = takes the credit for the hero’s actions or
tries to marry the princess

5. The Villain
This is the character who struggles against the
hero. Typically with some sort of scarring. The
villain usually appears in dark colours and as not
attractive. This is to juxtapose between the hero
and the villain, highlighting their differences.
An example of this sort of villain is seen in “The
Joker” in Batman.

6. The Dispatcher
The Dispatcher is the character who invites the
hero to eliminate the evil
An example of a “dispatcher” is in the character
“Nick Fury” from the “Avengers Assemble”
movies as he collects the heroes in order to help
them fight off the villain (i.e. Loki/Aliens/Hydra)

7. The Helper
• This is the character who helps the hero fight
against the evil/villains
• An example of this character is “Robin” from
“Batman and Robin” who helps Batman by
providing a physical presence in order to
destroy the villain.

8. The Princess
This is the character who needs help/ to be
rescued from the evil villain, e.g. the damsel in
distress character.
The princess in Spiderman is Mary Jane/Gwen
Stacy. In both films she is taken by the villain of
the plot and rescued by the hero, Spiderman.

9. The Hero
The hero is the most common character type and is
usually in the plot to defeat the villain and “win” the
princess.
An example of this is the Hero Superman who defeats
his enemy, villain “Lex Luthor” and “wins” the Princess
character “Lois Lane”.

10. Character Theory: My Music Video
In my music video the hero/anti-hero is the
mother as she rescues the daughter from the
villain (the abusive father) but also is suggested
to have murdered him.
The helper/dispatcher is the daughter, played by
Mabel, as she forces the mother into action. She
is also the “Princess” as she needs to be saved
by her mother from the situation.