Vladimir Propp developed a character theory identifying 7 broad character types that commonly appear in stories, including the hero, villain, donor, dispatcher, false hero, helper, and princess or prize. Propp's theory analyzes the X-Men characters into these types, with the hero being the central character whose actions restore order. Tzvetan Todorov's theory views stories as progressing through equilibrium, disruption, recognition, attempt to repair, and new equilibrium states. Roland Barthes and enigma codes use questions to create narrative suspense. William Gibson notes that audiences buy into narratives and characters rather than just products. Binary oppositions reveal narrative structures through paired concepts like good vs evil. Ideologies underpin representations

1. Propps
Vladimir Propp developed a character theory for studying media texts which indicates that there are
7 broad character types (writing in 1928)
1. The HERO who is on a quest. Restores the narrative equilibrium often embarking on a
quest. Propp distinguishes between the victim hero, who is the centre of the villains
attentions and the seeker hero who aids others who are the villains victims. The hero is
invariable the texts central character. (x men)
2. The VILLIAN who opposes the hero. Who usually creates the narrative disruption
(magneto)
3. the DONAR who helps the hero by giving him a tool. It may be an object, information or
advice which helps in resolution of the narrative (storm)
4. The DISPATCHER, who starts the hero on his way, aids the hero in the task of restoring
equilibrium (xabier)
5. The FALSE HERO, who tempts the hero away from his quest (cyclops)
6. The HELPER who helps the hero/ sidekick
7. Thee PRINCESS OR THE PRIZE AND HER *FATHER who is the reward for the hero.
(the victim) is usually the character most threatened by the villain and has to be saved at the
climax
E.G SHREK
1. Shrek
2. Lord Farkward (the short prince)
3. Dragon
4.
5. None
6. Donkey
7. Fiona
Mine
1.
2.The stalker
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.Zeph
The Theory of Todarov
Bulgarian philosopher coined the term narratology meaning to look at units of meaning in a text.
Todarov felt that all stories start with a equilibrium, which is then disrupted setting in a motion a
chain of events the resolution of the story is the new creation of new/different equilibrium.
1. A state of equilibrium (all as it should be)
2. A disruption of that order (by an event)
3. A recognition that the disorder has occurred
4. An attempt to repair the damage (of the disruption)
5. A return or a restoration of the NEW EQUILIBRIUM
From the audiences point of view the opening two minutes of my film would be at number 3
however for the villians point of view the start at 1 as for the stalker this is normal.

2. Roland Barthes (1977)
Enigma codes work to keep upsetting problems or puzzles for the audience.
This code poses questions or enigmas which provide narrative suspense. As audiences the
unravelling of these codes and thinking about the questions posed by events provide viewing
pleasure.
The film genres which this is most common in are horror and drama genres. Enigma codes often
uses the common questions of who, what, were, when and why to produce the desired effects.
The enigma code in ours is that people wonder whether the protagonist is a stalker or a detective.
Audience was confused as to which they were, and who it was.
William Gibson (2010)
'Narrative consumers don’t buy products so much as narratives'
'Designers are taught to invent characters with narratives who they then design products for or
around'
Shrek: Moral ideologies, such as 'its not whats on the outside but on the inside that counts' IT also
emphasizes companionship, that friends should always stick together.
We did audience research ( state what they wanted ) and used codes and conventions so we could
find out what the target audience likes, and what would sell to them. The audience would find our
characters appealing because they can relate to the girls and the love story, they are also able to
relate to the deeper meaning. We used attractive protagonist to sell it further.
Binary Oppositions
Levi Strauss looked at narrative structure and themes in texts in terms of binary oppositions.
Binary oppositions are opposite values that reveals the structure of the media texts
it is important to look at the detonations (literal meaning) and connotations (cultural significance) of
the sign
Hero – Coward
Natural – Artificial
Good – Evil
Male – Female
Rational – Emotional
Strong – Weak
Day – Night
3rd
order of significance: Ideological
• Semiologist Roland Barthes (1973), believes it is at this third and final order of signification
that ideology’s underpinning varying forms of representation can be successfully unmasked.
• According to Barthes all forms of representations should be understood as ideological
'myths'
• Barthes, calls for myths to be considered as sets of shared ideas, values, social norms and
practices which a given culture wishes to explain (understand) aspects of reality
Thor : at the end of the day you have to do the right thing even if its your brother you are fighting
According to Roland Barthes, at the heart of all narratives are common ideologies

3. Cultural Ideology's
E.G Other group
Ali's Character
Working class background
Disadvantaged background-Education can change him and he can achieve
-Love has no bounds/background/ethnicity
Kirsty Character
Middle Class Background
– Calm
– Focused on education
– Well groomed
– Fix Ali up
E.G My group
If your an attractive female everyone wants you
if people cant have you they will be underhand and cunning, e.g obsessive/ nasty