Character theories are used to understand media, its useful for analysing and understanding media in which people take on roles as actors or actresses. They are popular within the education industry when studying media and film studies.
Whos is Propp?
Vladimir Propp was a Russian literary critic and scholar, Propp was essentially interested in the narrative of folk tales. He noticed many tales were similar in a variety of areas, he identified a theory about characters and actions as narrative functions. According to Vladimir Propp, characters have a narrative function, they provide a structure for the text. His theory has influenced many filmmakers to writing and producing successful narratives.
Propp's Character Theory:
Props came up with a theory for studying media texts and productions, this indicates that there are 7 broad character types, these were:
1. The villain (Struggles against the hero)
2. The Donor (Prepares the hero or give the hero some magical object)
3. The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest)
4. The princess (person who hero marries, often ought for during the narrative)
5. The false hero (perceived as a good character in beginning but emerges as evil)
6. The dispatcher (character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off)
7. The hero (reacts to the donor, weds the princess)
The Struggle Scene:
This theory suggested that:
- There is a struggle between the hero and villain.
- The hero is branded.
- The villain is overcome.
- The state of disorder is settled.
The Recognition Scene:
- At this stage in the film the hero is recognised (an action film, for example Superman)
- Or the false hero or villain is unmasked (a horror film scene)
- As well as the false hero could be punished in this scene (a cops and robbers scene)
- Or the hero attains the rewards (Princess/ kingdom) and they live happily ever after (fairytale)
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