Propp's Character Theory and Narrative Structure (Narrative Theory Research)

Vladimir Propp was a Soviet literary figure and scholar who entertained the idea that there a certain types of characters that are used in every narrative structure (Character Theory) is theory to fairy tales and fables, stating that they all follow the same specific narrative structure.

Character Theory- Where there are seven different character types in every narrative (I have used examples from Shaun of the Dead to link with my research of the horror genre):

•The Hero- Character that actively seeks out something, reacts to the donor and marries the princess (e.g. Shaun from Shaun of the Dead.)

•The Villain- Opposes and actively blocks the hero's quest, struggles against the Hero (e.g. The Zombies from Shaun of the Dead.)

•The Dispatcher- Sends the hero on their quest via a message/ sends the hero off (e.g. TV Reporter/Shaun from Shaun of the Dead.)

•The Donor- Prepares the hero, and provides the hero with an object with magical properties

(e.g. The Pub in Shaun of the Dead.)

•The Helper- Aids the hero on their journey/quest (e.g. Ed from Shaun of the Dead.)

•The False Hero- Disrupts the hero's success by making false claims, percieved as good in the beginning but emerges evil (e.g. David from Shaun of the Dead.)

•The Princess- Acts as a reward for the hero and the objective of the villain's evil plots ( e.g. Liz from Shaun of the Dead.)