Vladimir Propp identified seven recurring character types in folk tales: 1) The Hero who undertakes a quest. 2) The Villain who opposes the Hero. 3) The Donor who aids the Hero. 4) The Princess who is the motivation or reward. 5) The Helper who assists the Hero. 6) The Dispatcher who sends the Hero on the quest. 7) The False Hero who claims the reward. Propp's character types provide a framework for understanding recurring roles in narratives. Not all types will be in every story and some characters may take multiple roles.

1. Propp’s character types
Vladimir Propp wanted to understand the patterns that
lay beneath narratives. He established seven different
character types that crop up regularly in stories.
▪ Hero – undertakes a journey or a quest.
▪ Villain – attempts to thwart or kill the hero.
▪ Donor – gives the hero advice or a useful object.
▪ Helper – a friend who helps the hero in their quest.
▪ Princess – acts as motivation and reward for the
quest.
▪ Dispatcher – sends the hero on their quest.
▪ False hero – one who turns on the hero and is
ultimately punished.

2. Propp’s character types
Note: Not all character types will appear in all
stories, and some characters may take on
more than one role in the narrative.

3. NARRATIVE THEORY
PROPP AND CHARACTER
TYPES

4. LESSON OBJECTIVES
● To learn the theory of Propp.
● To apply this theory to a film I have seen.

5. STARTER QUESTION
● What is a possible link between
these characters?

6. VLADIMIR PROPP
● Propp was a Russian scholar who
analysed the basic plot
components of Russian folk tales
to identify their narrative
elements.
● He concluded that all the
characters could be resolved into
7 character types.

7. 1. THE HERO
⦿Leads the narrative, is usually looking for
something - a quest, or trying to solve
something- a mystery. Does not have to be
male.
Example:
Batman
from
Batman

8. 2. THE VILLAIN
● Has a conflict with the hero and tries to stop
them from succeeding.
Example: The
Joker from
Batman

9. 3. THE DONOR
● Gives the hero something - a clue, a talisman,
a special power - which helps them complete
their quest.
Example:
Obi-Wan
Kenobi
from Star
Wars

10. 4. THE PRINCESS
● Is usually a prize or reward for the hero. If
the hero is female, there can be a price but
this is unusual.
Example:
Princess
Fiona from
Shrek

11. 5. THE HELPER
● Helps the hero, often acts as a sidekick
Example:
Donkey
from
Shrek

12. 6. THE PRINCESS’ FATHER
● An authority figure who offers a reward to the
hero for completing their quest. That reward might
be a prince, a princess or in more modern
narratives, a new car.
Example:
The Sultan
from
Aladdin

13. 7. THE FALSE HERO
● The false hero takes credit for the hero’s
actions or tries to marry the princess.
Example:
Prince
Charming
from
Shrek

14. MAIN ACTIVITY
● For C1 Task 2 look at your character
types
● What are the stock character types
● Mention them using Vladimir Propp’s
character type

15. LESSON OBJECTIVES
● Did we achieve...
● To learn the theory of Propp.
● To apply this theory to a film I have
seen.