NARRATIVE THEORYPROPP & TODOROV

NARRATIVE STRUCTURE

Propp

1) Preparation

2) Complication

3) Transference

4) Struggle

5) Return

6) Recognition

Todorov1) Equilibrium

2) Disruption

3) Recognition of disruption

4) Attempt to repair disruption

5) A return or restoration of NEW equilibrium

Propp’s theory says...

PREPARATION 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 SEVEN CHARACTER TYPESHero

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 HEROThe 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 VILLAINSeeks 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 HELPERAccompanies 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 MENTORGives 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.

OTHER NARRATIVE FUNCTIONS

Flash back

Flash forward

Chronological

Non-chronological