Vladimir Propp’s functions of narrative

Propp’s functions of narrative

Russian Vladimir Propp analysed many of his country's folk tales and identified common themes within them. He broke down the stories into chunks and looked closely at them; he managed to identify 31 narratives that form the structure of many of the stories. He broke the stories down into four different spheres.

Can be Simplified down to 6 main functions:

·         Preparation - the scene is set

·         Complication - a problem occurs, some evil takes place

·         Transference - the hero receives help and leaves on a quest

·         Struggle - the hero is given tests or there is a fight or pursuit

·         Return - the hero attains his objective and fulfills the quest or carries out the rescue

·         Recognition - the villain is punished and the hero receives his reward.

Propp's character persona theory

      1. Hero (also the Seeker or Victim)  for example superman
2. villain- for example Dr octopus from Spiderman
3. Donor (from whom the hero gets some magical object) Lucius fox from batman
4. Magical Helper (the character that helps the hero in the quest) robin from batman
5. Dispatcher (the character that makes the lack known) nick fury from avengers
6. False Hero (the character who takes credit for hero's actions) Cinderella's stepsisters
7. Prince/princess (person the hero marries) Gwen Stacey the amazing Spiderman
8. Victim (person harmed by the villain if not the hero) Gwen Stacey
Applying to Batman:
Batman: - Hero
Alfred: - Helper
Rachel: -Princess
henri: - False Hero/Dispacher
Lucius:- The Donor
The scare crow:- The Villian

Applying Propp's character persona theory to my coursework: