Propp analyzed fairytales and identified common character types including the villain, dispatcher, donor, hero/heroine, and princess. Todorov proposed narratives follow a structure of equilibrium, disruption, recognition, attempts to repair, and restored equilibrium. Both theories are exemplified in the Harry Potter and Jurassic World films - Harry Potter includes the expected character types like Voldemort and Dumbledore, while Jurassic World progresses through the narrative stages from a smoothly running park to disruption by the Indominous Rex and restoration of order.

2. WHAT IS A
NARRATIVE?The narrative is not the
story itself but rather the
telling of the story. It is a
way of ordering events and
thoughts in a coherent
sequence that makes them
interesting to listen to.

3. Propp noticed that there’s typically a certain type of character in every fairytale. He
would study them to come up with a list of character types that were included. His
theory has influenced many filmmakers and writers to produce successful narratives.
The following are the 8 character types that are typically included in a narrative:
 The villain –
the cause of disruption and the enemy of the hero
 dispatcher –
The dispatcher sends the hero on a journey to restore the equilibrium
 Donor –
The donor gives the hero something to help him on his journey
 Helper –
Assists the hero in restoring the equilibrium
 Hero/Heroine –
Is the one who restores the equilibrium and saves the day
 False hero –
Acts like they’re helping the hero but in reality they are a fraud
 The princess –
Is who the hero is trying to save
 The Father –
Rewards the hero

4. Harry Potter is a good
example of a film that follows
Propp’s character theory. For
example, The Villain would
be Voldemort, The
Dispatcher and Donor is
Dumbledore, The Helper(s)
are Ron and Hermione. The
Princess is Ginny, The False
Hero would be Draco Malfoy
and The Hero is Harry
himself.

5. Todorov’s narrative theory
suggests that all
narratives follow a certain
structure consisting of 5
parts in the following
order:
1- Equilibrium (everything is
normal, as it should be)
2- Disruption (by an
event/person/thing)
3- Recognition of disruption
4- Attempts to repair
disruption
5- Equilibrium is restored

6. Jurassic World is a good example of a film that
follows Todorov’s theory. This is shown in the
following:
1. Equilibrium- theme park is running smoothly
and full of excitable visitors like Gray and his
bother Zach who are to be taken care of by their
aunt Claire.
2. Disruption – The creation of the Indominous
Rex spikes fear in the staff.
3. Recognition of disruption- Indominous Rex
escapes the container. It becomes a threat to the
workers and the visitors in the theme park. Gray
and Zach are chased by the Indominous.
4. Attempt to Repair Damage- Claire and Owen
work together to save her nephews and move the
visitors to the safer part of the island, while also
trying to capture and kill the beast.
5. New Equilibrium- The theme park is abandoned
because the T-Rex is loose, while the visitors are
safe and rescued. Gray and Zach are reunited with