Propp Theory

 21/10/22

Vladimir Propp - Propp Theory

Vladimir Propp's character types:

• Hero- goes on a quest and usually end us with a princess (shrek)
• Villain- who is against the hero (lord farquard) 
• Dispatcher - person who sets the hero off on their quest helps them (lord farquard)
• Donor -helps the hero and sometimes has a magical power/object to help (fairytale characters)
• Princess- is usually the prize for the hero the hero deserves her throughout the story and must over come a task/defeat the villain to get her ( Fiona)
• Father - rewards the hero usually identifies the false hero ( father/parent)
• False hero- takes credit for the hero's actions and tries to marry/end up with the princess (prince charming)
• The Helper- someone who help the hero on their mission (donkey)

Not all films follow this structure

Propp's Theory Crime Dramas

• Hero- officers of law
• Villain- criminals
• Dispatcher- superintendent
• Donor- offices of the law


• Princess- victims
• Father- parent/family
• False hero- suspect
• Helper- forensic team/other police officers 

OFFICERS OF TE LAW- hero ,antihero cop ,grumpy, quirky, rookie , expert , bad tempered

VICTIMS - new victims every episode, audience tend to sympathise FLASHBACKS used sometimes

SUSPECTS - SUSPECTED of committing  the rime wrongly arrested  treated badly when innocent

CRIMINALS - represent the opposition to the law. weak ,misguided stupid ,clever

Luther 

Luther- hero/rookie 

policer officer- helper

man with glasses- villain 

lady with buggy- donor 

man with glasses - false hero/ misguided/ criminal representation

police officer - dispatcher 

NCIS NEW ORLEANS 

PRIDE- hero/in charge 

LORRETTA- helper/ forensic scientist

GREGORIO- helper/hero/another agent 

PATTON- dispatcher/sets the agents on missions tells them where to go 

LASALLE- false hero/ takes responsibility for the mission 

LAUREL- daughter of the hero/ gets involved 

PERCY- donor helps pride/ captures the villain 

NAVY SEALS- victims