Vladimir Propp's character theory states that there are normally seven main characters in fairytales - the hero, villain, princess, dispatcher, donor, helper, and false hero. Each character has a defined role or function. For example, the hero is on a quest to save someone, the villain causes trouble, and the dispatcher sends the hero on the quest. Similarly, Tzvetan Todorov's theory analyzed the structure of narratives into five stages - equilibrium, disruption, recognition of disruption, attempt to repair disruption, and new equilibrium. An example using the plot of WALL-E demonstrates each of these five stages.

1. VLADIMIR PROPP’S CHARACTER
THEORY

2. PROPP’S THEORY SAIS THAT THERE ARE NORMALLY
7 MAIN CHARACTERS IN A FAIRYTALE.
 The hero
 The villain
 The princess
 The dispatcher
 The donor
 The helper
 The false hero

3. THE HERO
 ...Is normally on a quest
 Saves someone or something
 An example of this is ‘Shrek’

4. THE VILLAIN
 Cause trouble and the hero has to solve it
 Works in opposition to the hero
 An example of this is ‘Prince Charming’

5. THE PRINCESS
 Usually female and normally always need help
 Is what/who the quest is for
 An example of this is ‘Princess Fiona’

6. THE DISPATCHER
 Sends you on the mission and tells you what you
have to do
 Sends the hero on the quest
 An example of this is ‘Lord Farquaard’

7. THE DONOR
 Helps with the story and give something important
 Gives the hero something to help them on the quest
 An example of this is ‘puss in boots’

8. THE HELPER
 Sidekick, supports the hero on the mission
 Assists the hero on the quest
 An example of this is ‘donkey’

9. THE FALSE HERO
 Seems nice on the inside but is the opposite on the
outside
 Appears to be helping the hero but is unmasked as
a fraud
 An example of this is ‘Fairy Godmother’

10. TZVETAN TODOROV THEORY

11. THERE ARE 5 STAGES THAT TODOROV BELIEVED
MADE UP HIS THEORY
 Equilibrium (how it starts. Normal life?)
 Disruption (something happens)
 Recognition of disruption (characters recognise
something has happened)
 Attempt to repair disruption (try to fix the situation)
 New Equilibrium(there is a new ‘normal’ life)

12. EXAMPLE (SYNOPSIS)
 example: Wall-E
 Stage 1) Wall-e lives on earth on his own
 Stage 2) A spaceship arrives on Earth and Eve
checks the planet for life
 Stage 3) Eve leaves and so Wall-e follows her
 Stage 4) Eve tells the captain of the ship they can
go back to earth, but a robot tries to stop them,
Wall-e, Eve and the captain manage to defeat him.
 Stage 5) Everyone lives on earth agiain