This document compares character types from Propp's theory to the characters in the film World War Z and those in another unnamed film. It outlines the main character types from Propp's theory - the Hero, the Prize, the Villain, the Helper, and the Dispatcher. It then provides examples of how each of these character types is represented in World War Z and the other film, which focuses on two brothers - an older brother as the Hero and a younger brother who becomes infected.

1. S
Character comparisons
Using Propp’s character theory and World War Z as a comparison

2. Outline of Propp’s theory
Propp suggested numerous character types in his theory,
our film includes these character types:
S The Hero – protagonist of the story
S The Prize – attempts to take credit for the hero’s actions
S The Villain– prepares the hero for the narrative
S The Helper – helps the hero in the story
S The Dispatcher – sends the hero off on his story

3. Hero
Brad Pitt acts as the main hero
within World War Z as he is assigned
the task of locating patient zero and
therefore a cure for the zombie virus
that has spread across the world.
In our film, Brody, the older brother
acts as our hero as he sets himself
the task of taking his younger brother
to the safe zone before he succumbs
to the virus after being bitten.

4. The prize
In World War Z, the prize that Pitt searches for is a
cure to the zombie virus. Initially he uses patient
zero as a guiding point towards this, however as
the film progresses he realises that the sickness of
individuals affects whether the virus searches for
them.
In our film, the prize that Brody strives for is the
safety of his younger brother. After hearing a
broadcast on the radio, he attempts to take his
brother to the safe haven in order

5. The Villain
In both World War Z and our film, the main enemy of the protagonists are hordes
of Zombies. They attempt to stop our heroes from achieving their objective. In
World War Z, they are more aggressive and move at an increased speed,
however in our film they will be much slower and sluggish.

6. The Helper
The Helper in World War Z is an Israeli soldier
named “Segen”, she saves Brad Pitt in Jerusalem
when the zombies breach the wall. After this she
then helps him navigate the lab in search of a
cure when they land.
The Helper in our film is the younger brother
as he believes that is he assisting his
brother in getting both off them to safety.
However he is unknowingly helping his
brother take him to safety before he turns
from his bite.

7. The Dispatcher
The Dispatcher in World War Z is a UN Secretary that tasks
Brad Pitt with finding ‘Patient Zero’ of the virus. He threatens
to remove Pitt’s family from the safety of the Air Carrier if he
doesn’t search for the cure and therefore become an
‘essential personnel’.
The Dispatcher in our film is the voice on the radio calling for
survivors to find him. He provides an reason for the brothers
to leave their sanctuary and travel in order to attempt to find
the man.