Propps theory of narrative is the thought that fairytales from all over the world were very similar despite the fact people couldn't travel to each other. Propp argued that all fairytales were constructed of certain plot elements making them all very similar with a story line that have functions occurring in the same order. His study is based on the research of 100 folk tales and looking how they were constructed. He found that not all of the 31 functions he found were present in every one the majority were.
In Propps theory of narrative there are seen to be 8 Character roles ( one character can take on more than one role ).
1. Villan - A person who is capable of crime or wickedness, this person is also responsible for specific trouble, harm or damage.
2. Hero - A character tho seeks something, often motivated by lack of something. The hero doesn't have to be heroic in the way most people would understand, heros can be male or female, brave or cowardly.
3. Donor - Who provides an object with some magic property.
4. Helper - Who aids the hero.
5. Princess - reward for the hero and the object of the villans schemes. Again this is not necessarily a beautiful damsel in distress - the princess can be male!
6. Father - Who rewards the hero.
7. Dispatcher - Who send the hero on his way.
8. False Hero - usually appears to be nice but isn't.
After the character roles are distinguished there are then 31 functions that are deemed to happen in a film.
Steps 1-7 are preparation this is setting the scene introducing the character and creating a sense of foreboding.
Steps 8-10 are the complication, this is where it becomes apparent that there is going to be a twist in the storyline.
Steps 10-15 is transference this is where the hero moves from one place and he is often tested on this journey and is given or finds a magical agent- something which helps them on their journey.
Steps 16-19 are where there is struggle, this can mean the hero comes into contact with the villan or something happens to the villan to slow him down in his journey.
Steps 20-26 is the return of the hero, in these steps the task is resolved.
The final steps 27-31 are recognition for the hero, at this point the hero gets the princess or rewarded.
Propp's theory of narrative fits in with our storyline, not in all aspects as our film is only 5 minutes and we can't fit all 31 actions in but we do have the 8 character roles.
1. Villan - Sam
2. Hero - The lucky penny
3. Donor - Dorothy
4. Helper - Dorothy
5. Princess - Sarah
6. Farther - The lucky penny
7. Dispatcher - Dianne
8. False hero - Sam
