After studying 100 fairytales, Vladimir Propp discovered that all characters fall into 7 broad types that can be found across different storytelling mediums. These 7 types are: the Hero, the Villain, the Donor, the Dispatcher, the False Hero, the Helper, and the Princess. Propp also identified typical scenes - the Struggle Scene, where the Hero battles the Villain, and the Recognition Scene, where the Hero is recognized or a false character is exposed. Propp's character and scene theories provide a framework for analyzing narrative structures across various storytelling forms.

1. VLADIMIR PROPP

2. VLADIMIR PROPP
After studying 100 fairytales, Vladimir
Propp developed a character theory for
studying media texts and productions. Prop
discovered that all characters fall into 7
board character types, all of which can be
found in a variety of different media.

3. SPHERE OF ACTION
The typical characters he found were:
 The Hero – a character that seeks something.
 The Villain – who opposes or actively blocks the hero’s quest.
 The Donor – who provides an object with magical properties.
 The Dispatcher – who sends the hero on his/her quest via a message.
 The False Hero – who disrupts the hero’s success by making false
claims.
 The Helper – who aids the hero.
 The Princess – acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the
villain’s plots.
 Her Father – who acts to reward the hero for his effort.

4. THE STRUGGLE SCENE
In a struggle scene Vladimir
Propp suggested this theory:
•There is a struggle between
the hero and the villain.
•The hero is branded.
• The villain is overcome.
• The state of disorder is
settled.

5. THE RECOGNITION
SCENE
And the recognition scene:
•At this stage in the film the
hero is recognized (an action
film, like superman).
• Or the false hero or villain is
unmasked (a horror film
scene).
• As well as the false hero could
be punished in this scene(a
cops and robbers scene).
•Or the hero attains the reward
(princess/ kingdom)... and they
live happily ever after. (a
fairytale)

6. EXAMPLE OF THE
THEORY