ObjectivesBy the end of today’s lesson you will be able to:•Understand both Todorov and

Propp’s ideas on narrative and character theory and use to analyse a text

•Understand the variety of ways to construct film narrative

Narrative StructurePropp

1)Preparation2)Complication3)Transference 4)Struggle5)Return6)Recognition

Todorov1) Equilibrium2) Disruption 3) Recognition of

disruption4) Attempt to repair

disruption5) A return or

restoration of NEW equilibrium

Propp’s theory says... Star WarsPREPARATION a community or family is in an ordered state of

being

COMPLICATION the villain harms a member of the hero’s family

the hero plans action against the villain

TRANSFERENCE the hero is given a magical gift

the hero arrives at the place he can fulfil his quest

STRUGGLE there is a struggle between the hero and the villain

RETURN the hero escapes

a task is set for the hero

the hero accomplishes the task

RECOGNITION the hero is rewarded

Propp’s theory says... Star warsPREPARATION a community or family is

in an ordered state of being

Luke is happy at home on the farm with his aunt and uncle, although he would like to go to flying school. They buy C3P0 and R2D2

COMPLICATION the villain harms a member of the hero’s family

While meeting Obi-Wan, the Empire (under orders from Darth Vader) has killed Luke’s family. The Empire have also kidnapped Princess Leia

the hero plans action against the villain

Luke agrees to travel with Obi-Wan to return plans to the Rebellion and therefore revenging himself against the Empire

TRANSFERENCE the hero is given a magical gift

Obi-Wan gives Luke his father’s light sabre and tells him he must learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi

the hero arrives at the place he can fulfil his quest

After hiring Han Solo and Chewbacca, they arrive at Alderaan but it has been destroyed by the Death Star; the Millennium Falcon is captured by the Empire

STRUGGLE there is a struggle between the hero and the villain

After a fight with the Empire Luke and Han rescue Leia; Obi-Wan fights Darth Vader but is ‘killed’

RETURN the hero escapes The Millennium Falcon with Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie and the Droids with the Death Star plans escape and return to the rebel base

a task is set for the hero Luke and the other pilots must destroy the Death Star before it is in range to destroy the rebel base

the hero accomplishes the task

Luke, with spiritual help from Obi-Wan and the Force, manages to destroy the Death Star; he is helped by Han

RECOGNITION the hero is rewarded Luke and Han are given medals for their part in destroying the Death Star

Good and evil are balanced in the universe. Luke Skywalker is a farm boy.

A princess is captured. Luke finds out about his fatherThe Deathstar destroys a world.

Luke gets a message from the princess.They witness a world destroyed.

Luke and his friends board the Deathstar, rescue the princess and then attempt to destroy the Deathstar.

The Deathstar is destroyed, Luke is rewarded. Balance is returned to the universe.

Propp’s Seven Character Types• Hero• Villain• Helper• Mentor• Dispatcher• Blocker• Prize

HeroAccompanies the hero for some or most of the quest and can sometimes help.

Villain Sends the hero on his/her quest.

HelperGives the hero important information or equipment to help him/her in the quest

MentorSeeks riches, glory and or power, and seeks to stop the hero succeeding in the quest or mission.

Blocker Acts as a reward for the hero succeeding in the quest.

Prize The central protagonist of the narrative who drives it forward.

Dispatcher Tries to prevent the hero completing at least part of the quest.

The Hero•The central protagonist of the

narrative who drives it forward and has some kind of quest or mission to undertake in return for a reward. Traditionally male, e.g. Fireman Sam, but can be female, e.g. Mulan.

The Villain•Seeks riches, glory and or

power, and seeks to stop the hero succeeding in the quest or mission, while presenting a genuine threat. The sometimes want the heroine themselves. Can be male or female.

The Helper•Accompanies the hero for

some or most of the quest and can sometimes help, but cannot by themselves complete the quest. E.g. Samwise Gamgee.

The Mentor•Gives the hero important

information or equipment to help him/her in the quest. They are often represented as wise or having magical powers, but can’t do the quest without the hero, e.g. Obi-won Kenobi.

The Prize (Heroine)•Acts as a reward for the hero

suceeding in the quest. In older, more stereotypical narratives the heroine is a passive princess and female. In modern narratives the heroine can be more fiesty.

Wizard of OzKansas Oz

Hero: Dorothy Hero: Dorothy

Villain: Miss Gulch Villain: Wicked Witch of the West

Donor: Professor Marvel

Donors: Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman, Cowardly LionFalse Hero: Wizard

Propp’s Character TypesCharacter Type Example

HeroVillainPrizeMentorHelperBlockerDispatcherYour Own

Your Own

Other Narrative Functions• Flash back• Flash forward• Chronological• Non-chronological