Vladimir Propp proposed that narratives follow a specific structure involving eight character types: the hero, villain, princess, donor, helper, princess's father, false hero, and dispatcher. Propp's theory influenced filmmaking and suggested fairy tales all conform to the same narrative structure. The document discusses Propp's eight character types and agrees that his character theory is fundamental to films, using the movie Shrek as an example of how the eight character types appear.

1. Propp’s Character theory
Paula Graham

2. Vladimir Propp founded the idea that a certain type of
character was to be used in every narrative structure. His
theory has influenced many filmmakers to writing and
producing successful films. Propp also suggested that all
fairy tales follow a specific narrative structure.
Who was Vladimir Propp?

3. Propp suggested that every narrative has eight different character types, these character
types are:
1. The hero – is the most common character type, who normally fights the villain, and weds
the princess.
2. The villain – this character type normally fights the hero and is shown as the hero’s
binary opposite.
3. The princess – this character type always needs to be rescued from the evil villain.
4. The donor - this character type offers some sort of help to the hero by providing an
object thatwill help the hero in their quest .
5. The helper - this character type helps the hero fight against evil
6. The princesses father - this character type gives the task to the hero and identifies the
false hero. Also gives permission for the hero to marry the princess.
7. The false hero - this character type takes credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry
the princess
8. The dispatcher - this character type makes the evil known and sends the hero on
his/her quest
8 Character types

4. Propp’s theory of character

5. I agree with Propp's character theory as I can pick out the eight different character
types in films. I believe that Propp’s character theory is about identifying
characters and it is the building block for most films. I also think that films will not
be able to progress without it. In all movies I can see the 8 character types, for
example, in Shrek I can easily identify the 8 character types. The hero is Shrek
who needs to solve the crime of why the fairytale creatures are illegally camping
outside of his swamp. The villain is Lord Farquaad who sent the fairytale creatures
to Shrek's swamp. He sends Shrek to rescue his princess from the castle and as a
reward, he will give Shrek his swamp exactly how it was. The princess is Princess
Fiona and she is saved by Shrek from the castle, who she believes is her prince for
saving her, but he tells her that Lord Farquaad will be her prince. She finds out that
Shrek is an ogre. The helper is Donkey who accompanies Shrek throughout the
journey to rescue the princess. The donor is not a particular person but a magical
dragon who helps stops the wedding of Lord Farquaad and Fiona when Shrek
realises he loves her, and finds out that she is an ogre too. The False hero is Lord
Farquaad because he earned the princess even though he had to get Shrek to
complete the mission to save her from the castle, however Shrek and Fiona end
up in love.
My representation of Propp’s character theory