This document discusses Vladimir Propp's character roles and narrative functions theories and applies them to analyze characters and events in trailers for the soap operas EastEnders and Coronation Street. In EastEnders, a mother is a "false hero" and a man is a "hero." In Coronation Street, a woman is a "villain" and a bride is a "false hero." Propp's functions of "wedding" and "meditation" are seen in EastEnders, while "meditation" and "difficult task" occur in Coronation Street as a bride reveals a secret to her husband.

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Propp’s Character Roles
Propp’s Narrative Functions
Name: Sean Wayne
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Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
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OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Propp’s Character Roles
EastEnders trailer
• The character of the mother with her young son would be an example of a ‘False Hero’ (Propp's
character roles theory). In the trailer she looks down on her son with a stern angry expression on
her face. This non-verbal code is able to connote that something is going to happen between her
and her son resulting in a ‘disequilibrium’ (Todorov). However the son seems unaware of this fact,
which connotes the fact that he feels comfortable around his mother, giving the audience the
impression that he feels that his mother has no ill intentions towards him. This can be supported
by the fact that he is in a school uniform with a hockey stick, which is able to present to the
audience that he is being well cared for just like any other child. This is able to prove that the
inevitable ‘bad’ event has still yet to come.
• The character of the second bald man coming out of the pub after Phil Mitchell would be an
example of a ‘Hero’ (Propp's character roles theory). This can be denoted by the fact that when it
is just Phil on his own, Peggy frowns and seems concerned about him, however, after the second
man comes out of the pub and stands behind Phil Mitchell, Peggy smiles and has an expression of
relief. This is able to connote that the second man is supporting Phil Mitchell and is trusted by
those around him (due to the fact that Peggy was smiling and relived when he appeared). This is
also supported by the fact that the second man stand behind Phil, connoting that he is always
behind him supporting him.
Coronation Street Trailer
• The character of the woman in the red top with the apron on is an example of a ‘Villain’ (Propp's
character roles theory). In the trailer the first and only line she says goes against the main event
that is shown in the trailer (the wedding). The diegetic verbal code 'I think you are confusing me
with someone who gives a monkeys’ connotes that she is against the character the trailer focuses
on the most (the bride) and therefore is most likely to be the one who does something that is able
to ruin the wedding.
• The character of the bride would be an example of a ‘False Hero’(Propp's character roles theory).
This can be shown when she tells her newly-wed husband ‘There is something that I need to tell
you’. This is able to connote that fact that the bride isn’t who the husband original thought her to
be as she has been keeping an important secret from him. Her stern, guilty expression as she says
the line is able to connote that fact that this secret is very important and potentially life changing
for the couple.

3. Propp’s Narrative Functions
EastEnders Trailer
• One of Propp’s Narrative functions shown in this EastEnders trailer would be ‘Wedding’ (Propp's
Narrative Functions theory). This is when the hero marries and is rewarded or promoted by the
family or community and typically ascends to a throne. This is established when Peggy goes to the
married couple in the a suit and wedding dress. Both Peggy and the couple where smiling happily
at this stage of the trailer. This is able to connote that the couple has now become happily
married and gained a sense of family and community. Also due to the fact that Peggy is smiling at
them is able to connote that she is happy and relived that they have come together and overcome
any hardships that may have gotten in there way leading up to this point.
Coronation Street Trailer
• One of Propp’s Narrative functions in this Coronation Street trailer would be ‘Meditation’ (Propp's
Narrative Functions theory). This is when one or more negative factors comes to the attention of
the Hero, who uncovers the deceit/perceives the lacking/learns of the evil acts that have taken
place. This can be seen when the bride tells her husband ‘There is something that I need to tell
you’ revealing that she has been keeping a secret from him. This results in the husband becoming
confused and upset as shown in different parts of the trailer (Flashing Images) as he has be
deceived by his newly-wed wife.
• Another one of Propp's narrative functions represented in this Coronation Street trailer would be
‘Difficult Task’ (Propp's Narrative Functions theory). This is a trial proposed to the hero - riddles,
test of strength or endurance, acrobatics and other ordeals. In the case of this trailer the ‘Hero’
(being the husband) has been tested emotionally as he has just learnt that his newly-wed wife has
been deceiving and lying to him. This is a test to see how long the husband is going to be able to
deal with his emotional stress.
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Propp#Functions
• http://www.slideshare.net/ecclestona/media-narrative-propp-and-todorov